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Paul McKenna (born 8 November 1963, in Enfield, Middlesex, England) is an English hypnotist best known for his television work.
His original calling was as a radio DJ, and he cites Kenny Everett as one of his main inspirations. He presented at Chiltern Radio in the mid-80s, where he became known for his personality and sense of humour, before moving to Capital Radio in London. With the move to Capital came instructions from the programme controller Richard Park to abandon the overt humour of his presenting style and stick to merely being enthusiastic about the music and the station.
McKenna had been studying hypnosis for some time, and while still working as a DJ he began experimenting with small hypnotic shows, at first just for the amusement of his friends, and then for paying audiences in pubs and clubs. He was able to promote these shows on Capital Radio, and before long had built up to playing large theatres. At this point, the primary focus of his hypnosis work was still entertainment, but he was beginning to gain clients for professional one-to-one hypnotherapy.
In the early 90s he left Capital and joined BBC Radio One for a short period, before abandoning radio presenting altogether to concentrate exclusively on hypnosis.
In 1993, his programme The Hypnotic World of Paul McKenna aired on ITV, produced by Celador. This was an entertainment show where audience members were programmed to do silly things under hypnosis. This was later re-run on Bravo
In 2005, his Sky One show, I Can Change Your Life, moved more towards his role as a professional hypnotherapist rather than entertainment. He helped people with genuine phobias, such as agoraphobia and addictions to gambling and shopping. The series will be repeated on Sky Three. In 2006 he has started a program on Sky One called I Can Make You Thin in which he uses his methods to help people lose weight.
He has produced a range of self-help cassettes and books, including helping people to stop smoking. He is also known for his work with celebrity clients, including many Hollywood stars, although he himself has always been scrupulously careful to avoid naming names. Apart from some of the best sellers such as Change Your Life in 7 Days, he offers several training programmes from weight loss to neuro-linguistic programming (NLP).
He recently became a patron for "Noahs Ark", a charity in Worcestershire
In July 2006 McKenna was involved in a libel trial he brought against the journalist Victor Lewis-Smith from an 2003 article claiming he obtained a "bogus degree" from Lasalle University. Most recent developments state he 'wanted letters after his name'. McKenna insists his PhD award is legitimate and feels accusations of being a fraud do not help his self-help business. The trial continues.
Personal life
McKenna's ex girlfriends include Penny Smith and Liz Fuller. The latter dumped him during a live AuctionWorld TV show. In June 2004, Liz Fuller sent McKenna a text message asking him to watch her show on Auction World.tv. During a sale of engagement rings, Fuller turned to the camera and told McKenna she was leaving him. Then, as she closed the bidding on one item, she said: "Going, going, gone - like you!"
External links
- Official website
- The Hypnotic World of Paul McKenna Book Review
- Interview with Paul McKenna about his work with NLP and Hypnosis
- Guardian Interview with Paul McKenna
- Annova article on Liz Fuller & Paul's break-up
- Hypnotist McKenna sues over degree claim
- McKenna says fraud jibe "made me laughing stock"
- McKenna 'horrified' at fraud jibes
- McKenna 'wanted letters after name'
"Paul McKenna"