Preview: Colin Fry, Grand Opera House, York, March 6

Yet he turned professional only nine years ago. "I started at 18, I'm 43 now, and when you start to develop as a medium you never intend it to become a career. I had a successful career in retail management in London and Brighton," says Colin, who presents An Audience With Colin Fry at the Grand Opera House, York, on Sunday at 7.30pm.

"I originally did my work as a medium in spiritual churches and at private sessions but it was the death of my stepbrother, Michael, that made me take it up professionally. I decided on the day that he passed over there was something more important for me to do with my life and I resigned from my job there and then."

He is now on satellite television four times a day - twice on Living TV 2 and twice on FTN - and his shows are being screened in seven countries. New Zealand TV comes next: five live shows were filmed last year and will be screened this month under the title of The Happy Medium. That rise has required perseverance. "For the first six years after turning pro it was a struggle but sometimes you just have to follow your conviction," Colin says.

"What taking the show to bigger audiences has now enabled me to do is put money into the International College of Spiritual Science and Healing in Sweden, where I'm a principal tutor. It went bust in 2000 and I rescued the whole thing from the receivers and if I hadn't done that, the place would probably have been pulled down. Instead there's been a massive restoration programme.

"I tutor there one week a month, and we've had people from America, New Zealand, all over Europe, people of all races and religious backgrounds, including Hindus and Muslims. The college is based on the principle of spiritualism; it's a prejudice-free zone, not tied to any religion."

Further Colin Fry shows at the Grand Opera House will be on September 9 and 10. Box office: 0870 606 3590.

Updated: 09:15 Friday, March 04, 2005