A magician who disappeared after receiving £400 from a community center for a show he never delivered has now issued an apology. Dean Spruce, the owner of Divine Magic, approached Crossens Community Centre in Southport in April to offer his services for their Summer Fair in June. Spruce assured the center, managed by Crossens Community Association, of a spectacular show including magic acts, bubble shows, workshops, and entertainment for families at a total cost of £400. The package also included walkaround magic and balloon art.
Fiona Townsend, the vice chair of the community association, expressed their excitement over the deal and proceeded to book Spruce. She mentioned that they made the payment and assumed everything was set for the event. However, on the day of the fair, they received a message from Spruce claiming a family emergency due to his brother’s death in Scotland, where he is believed to be from. Despite promises to refund the money, the association is still awaiting the full reimbursement.
Reports indicate that Spruce has similarly taken payments for shows at other venues nationwide. He has allegedly provided various excuses such as car accidents, COVID-19, and hospitalization to evade commitments. Investigations revealed instances of double-booking at events around three years ago.
In response to the situation, Dean Spruce has expressed his regret to Crossens Community Centre and stated his efforts to repay all affected parties. He acknowledged his struggles and admitted he could have handled the situation better. He urged those impacted to contact him via email for resolution.
Fiona, a dedicated volunteer at Crossens Community Association, shared their disappointment with Spruce’s actions. Despite receiving a partial refund of £100, they are still awaiting the remaining £300. Fiona highlighted the pattern of Spruce attending some events while skipping others, leading to double bookings and dissatisfaction among clients nationwide.
In an official statement, Dean Spruce mentioned that £200 had been refunded to Crossens Community Centre by the time of the statement and reassured ongoing efforts to reimburse everyone affected. He cited personal challenges this year and three years ago, expressing remorse for the handling of the situation and pledging to address any outstanding issues promptly. The matter has not been reported to the authorities.
