"Don't be fright!": radio magician's catchphrase helps reassure the nation
Sirdani was the most popular magician to entertain on British radio during World War Two. Over the airwaves, he entertained millions of people, bringing light relief to dark times. Although he played the role of an Egyptian gilly-gilly man, Sirdani's real name was Sid Daniels. He was born in Mile End, London in 1899. World War One broke out when Daniels was 16 years old. Like many others, he enlisted by falsifying his age. He went on to serve in three campaigns, in West Africa, German East Africa and France. A keen amateur magician, Daniels used to mystify his fellow soldiers in the trenches with his tricks. It was when shells came whining over just as he was in the middle of a particularly interesting bit of magic that he originated his famous phrase, "Don't be fright" . After his discharge from the army, Daniels took up magic full-time. He adopted the name Sirdani and the persona of an Egyptian gilly-gilly man. Early in his career he perform...