"I've always enjoyed sketching and painting. This self-portrait was done in a rare moment of humility."

I'm at my best when I'm on my own and reading. It takes me back to my 20s when I was living in Bristol, doing magic shows. I spent the rest of my time drinking tea with my nose in a book.

Those closest to me would describe me as very different from the guy on TV. I'm a lot sillier and more friendly. I enjoy making others laugh. The telly guy is really controlling, but that's because of my job.

One thing about my past I don't admit easily is I had a bit of a kleptomaniac phase in the '80s. I'd steal CDs, toys and gadgets from shops. I remember looking round my bedroom as a kid and thinking: "God, I've stolen pretty much everything in here." I never got caught and stopped as I got older.

The three things I'd want on a desert island are my Mac, a router and a very long cable to plug them in. I get frustrated if I can't keep in touch with people, plus I imagine the appeal of pornography would be strong if I was alone!

One thing I'd like to do before I die is travel more. My job takes me to Europe and America, but they're obvious places. I've never been off the beaten track.

If I advertised myself on a dating site, it would read "Nice guy wants to meet nice guy." So much these days is about being goal-driven, but being kind is the greatest asset you can have.

The thing I like least about myself is my shape. I was skinny until I was 30 so never did any sport. But now my metabolism's changed, I have to make an effort to keep trim.

My fantasy dinner date would be my friend Joe, who lives in Sweden. I've met a few of my idols and they're always a disappointment. I usually clam up and come away feeling like I've been boring.

The thing I value most is the quality of loveliness. It's undervalued.

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My biggest regret is not sleeping with more people when I was younger - I was a bit of a loner.

If I wasn't a magician I'd paint. It's always been my first love - but I don't know how much of a living I'd make.

Answer the following

I'm often overcome by strong emotions: Never

My friends think I'm very outgoing: Never

I love debating intellectual ideas and concepts: Always

I'm very energetic and live a fast-paced life: Never

I enjoy making people feel appreciated: Always

An Evening Of Wonders is available on DVD tomorrow. Derren Brown: Portraits (Channel 4 Books, £25) goes on sale June 4.

'Mysterious Derren distrusts others'

JAMES' VERDICT: "Derren finds it difficult to have intimate relationships and many people regard him as complex. He wants to be involved in work that contributes to his inner growth, but he's not a highly ambitious person and may become preoccupied with introspection. This high level of emotional control means Derren finds it easy to hide his true feelings, so he may be regarded as emotionally detached. That said, he has a good sense of humour and will develop warm, meaningful relations with the few people that get to know him well.

Derren exudes superiority based on a feeling of being different from others, which may relate to negative or distressing social experiences in childhood.

The sideways glance in Derren's caricature suggests a distrust of others. The wizard-like beard creates an air of mystery, which Derren uses to seduce his audience."

James is a specialist in psychometric testing.

Compiled by Simon Button Photography: Paul Webb, WENN

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