Magician, content creator and television presenter Joel Mawhinney, known professionally as Joel M, discovered his passion for magic at the age of five. By eleven, he was already performing in restaurants, moving from table to table and captivating audiences with close-up magic in exchange for tips.
The Bangor-born magician is renowned for his mesmerising mentalism and seemingly impossible illusions. He has built a global following of more than 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 the BBC’s iconic Blue Peter, the world’s longest-running children’s television programme.
Alongside his Blue Peter role, Joel starred in his own BBC Northern Ireland series Life Is Magic in 2020. In 2023, he toured Northern Ireland for the first time with his live show Joel M: Impossible. He is also the author of Make Your Own Magic, published in 2021.
Joel has performed for a host of high-profile figures including Jared Leto, Tom Fletcher, Jason Derulo, Tommy Fury and even the King of England. He is the youngest person ever to receive honorary membership and an award for his contributions to magic from the Irish Magic Circle. Between 2020 and 2024, his digital content and television appearances — including Life Is Magic (BBC) and Ultimate Magic Skills (Sky) — have amassed over three billion views worldwide.
Driven by a remarkable work ethic and a powerful social media presence, Joel continues to expand his career across television, live performance and digital platforms. In 2024, he announced his first pantomime role at The Atkinson, Southport, beginning in December, and began work on new BBC projects including presenting for CBeebies and BBC Education.
Joel recently filmed episodes of BBC Lessons, appeared on CBBC’s Bro’s in Control, joined the presenting team for BBC Comic Relief, and competed on The Finish Line and Celebrity Mastermind. 2026 promises to be an exciting year for Joel, with a number of high-profile projects ahead.
