birdie; What on earth are you talking about? I have nothing whatsoever to apologise for, though I'm flattered to learn that in you I have a fan.
To your, //I love cheap magic tricks - if they're presented as such.//
I responded //Have you ever come across a magician who said, "I'm now going to perform a cheap magic trick"?// A question not yet answered by you.
I didn't say that in the entire panoply of magicians someone hadn't said such a thing.
Then kromo. gave examples of people I've never seen or heard of, and of whom I'd be surprised to learn were members of the Magic Circle.
The sainted Tommy Cooper certainly never said such a thing, his tricks may have gone 'wrong', but he usually came out on top with a bit of 'real' magic.