Sick ‘wizard’ sacked from his day job

An insurance company manager has been sacked for working as a magician at a children's party while on paid sick leave.

Peter Hopkins, 38, had been away from his job with Legal and General for six months with stress when he performed as "friendly wizard" Mr Hocus Pocus.

An employment tribunal heard that a human resources officer from the firm who was in the audience at a christening party spotted Mr Hopkins in his shiny green wizard's robe and pointed hat.



Mr Hopkins was then sacked from his £30,000-a-year job as a resource planning manager for gross misconduct.

He told the hearing: "My doctor encouraged me to perform my magic shows. It was felt it would help me back to health by overcoming the stress-related illness."

However, the tribunal in Cardiff yesterday dismissed his claim for breach of contract, saying the company had acted fairly.