Magician, content creator, and television presenter Joel Mawhinney, known professionally as
Joel M, found his passion for magic at the age of five. By age eleven, he began performing in
restaurants, walking from table to table and captivating audiences with his tricks for tips.
The Bangor-born magician is renowned for his mesmerizing mentalism and seemingly
impossible illusions, boasting a massive following of over 20 million across Instagram,
YouTube, and TikTok. In 2022, Joel was named Northern Ireland’s Celebrity of the Year and
became the 41st presenter of BBC’s iconic Blue Peter, the longest-running children’s TV show in
the world.
In addition to his Blue Peter role, Joel starred in his own BBC Northern Ireland TV series Life is
Magic in 2020 and, in 2023, entertained audiences across Northern Ireland on his first tour, Joel
M: Impossible. In 2021, he released his first book, Make Your Own Magic.
Joel M has become a household name, performing for celebrities such as Jared Leto, Tom
Fletcher, Jason Derulo, Tommy Fury, and even the King of England. Notably, he is the youngest
person ever to be awarded honorary membership and an award for his contributions to magic
from the Irish Magic Circle. His videos and TV shows—BBC’s Life is Magic and Sky’s Ultimate
Magic Skills—have collectively been viewed over three billion times between 2020 and 2024.
Driven by a remarkable work ethic and a substantial social media following, Joel remains
committed to making an impact and looks forward to further expanding his career.
In 2024, Joel announced his first pantomime role at The Atkinson in Southport, set to begin in
December. He has also been working on new BBC projects, including presenting for CBeebies
and BBC Education.
In 2025, Joel signed up for a longer-term role on Blue Peter and continues to front the CBBC
children’s programme. Recently, he has filmed episodes for BBC Lessons, scheduled to air
soon, and appeared on CBBC’s Bro’s In Control. Joel also joined the presenting team for BBC’s
Comic Relief campaign and was a contestant on The Finish Line on BBC1, due to air in late 2025.
