Twenty nine year old Paul became a laughing stock when his weight ballooned to almost 20 stone.
But the part-time magic man went on a crash diet - and lost more than half his weight in just six months time..
Now the Dad of one says he's finally go his confidence back and is able to perform on stage with people taking note of what's up his sleeve - and not his massive trousers.
Paul, who has since become a fell runner thanks to his new found energy, says it was the magic that helped him lose weight.
Council worker Paul, from Chorley, Lancs, said: "I had always been a big lad. I used to snack on crisps , chocolate, chips and cake all day, then come home to a full meal.
"When I was a teenager I lost some weight but it didn't stay off and after I moved in with my girlfriend Gemma and the weight crept up, I was soon back in my 44 inch trousers."
After Sophie, the couple's first child, was born, Paul decided to shed the pounds after constantly losing his breath when he played with her.
But it was his love of magic that was really the trick.
He said: "I was watching David Blane and wanted to learn how he does his tricks and I started looking into it straight away. I bought a pack of cards and started to practice straight away.
"I began to take bookings for wedding and parties, but I was still overweight and it affected my confidence. I had become resigned to being the fat lad with no self confidence."
So Paul joined up with Weightwatchers, and the fat fell off. He added: "After three months I'd lost three stone. I started being able to do things I couldn't do before, like go for long walks with Gemma and Sophie.
"I go to the annual Magic Convention in Blackpool and people were amazed when they saw me. They thought I had magicked it all away.
"Because I was less insecure I gained more confidence with my magic and relished the attention from some of the profession's top players.
"I'm now a size 32 and I'm planning to lose more. Some weeks I run 70 miles and I'm hoping to run in the next London Marathon.
"I'm determined to be in even better shape by then and hopefully a step closer to making a living as a magician.
"Losing weight has given me more energy to devote to my magic tricks and I'd love to make a living from it one day.
"I'm just glad that people know me for my magic and not for my size 44 trousers!" Tweet
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Now you see me now you don't?
Another scoop for the MEN
A magician was working on a cruise ship in the Caribbean. The audience would be different each week, so the magician allowed himself to do the same tricks over and over again.
There was only one problem: The captain's parrot saw the shows every week and began to understand what the magician did in every trick. Once he understood that, he started shouting in the middle of the show.
"Look, it's not the same hat!" "Look, he's hiding the flowers under the table!" "Hey, why are all the cards the Ace of Spades?"
The magician was furious but couldn't do anything, it was the captain's parrot after all.
One day the ship had an accident and sank. The magician found himself on a piece of wood, in the middle of the ocean, and of course the parrot was by his side.
They stared at each other with hate, but did not utter a word. This went on for several days.
After a week the parrot finally said, "Okay, I give up. What'd you do with the boat?"
Well done mate, hope you keep it up.
But, I don't think you're 9 stone, look more like 11-12 stone, journalistic licence maybe?
Typical of Manchester to many meat pies.
Please a little sympathy here, if all that you can get to eat is pies and chips!!!
Typical of Manchester to many meat pies.
Van Helsing, london
15/04/2009 at 18:42
For one thing Van you have too few Os in your 'to many meat pies" statement and TOO foreign a name to be a real Cockney.(that's Landanah to you lot down there).
You can never have TOO many meat pies but one plate of eel is more than enough.
"CHUBBY magician Paul Edmondson said "Abracadabra" and managed to vanish away a whopping ELEVEN STONE!"
Exactly what I'd do if I were a magician.