Derren Brown brands 'fake' Apocalypse rumours 'hurtful'... as he posts video debunking conspiracy theories

Derren Brown refutes claims that the show's star, Steve Brosnan, is a professional actor
Steve's Twitter page is linked to an actors casting database, but website boss claims his profile was never set live

PUBLISHED: 08:29 EST, 30 October 2012 | UPDATED: 08:23 EST, 31 October 2012

Derren Brown has hit out over allegations that the 'victim' of his zombie stunt is an actor.

Viewers have been gripped by Brown's latest mind-bending illusion on Channel 4 show Apocalypse, which saw him convince Steve Brosnan that the world has been devastated by a meteorite and later taken over by Zombies.

Thousands applied to be part of the show, but Steve was chosen as was suggestible enough to be hypnotised quickly and fit the profile of someone who was likeable but who took his life for granted

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Clarifying: The illusionist took to Twitter to blast the 'fake' reports - branding them hurtful

Row: Illusionist Derren Brown has hit back that the 'victim' of his apocalypse stunt was an actor

But the show came under fire after it was claimed that Steve is an actor.

However Brown hit back by filming a YouTube video with Steve - where the pair clear up the mystery surrounding his rumoured acting past.

Derren wrote on his blog, which featured the video,: 'Despite conspiracy theories and rumours online, Steven is not a stooge, or an actor, or in any way just playing along. Same goes for his family and friends that you see in the programme. They’d all have to be actors too.

'And all his REAL family – and anyone that knows him – taken away and quietly killed. My shows always provoke a flurry of people insisting it’s all fake, and I’ve come to expect that – exhausting and hurtful though it can be after months and months of love and sweating blood to make such massively ambitious and heart-felt programmes'

Brown continued: I have never, ever used stooges or actors in that way. It’s artistically repugnant, lazy and just unnecessary. And impossible to pull off, as anyone that knows him would of course be able to say so.

'We spent months setting up Steven’s experience, getting his family on board, and spending a vast sum of money making it as convincing as possible for him, and all our efforts making sure that he experienced a real transformation. To fake all of that with an actor would be pointless.'

Not an actor: Steve joined Derren in refuting the allegations

Clarifying: The illusionist and Steve Brosnan took to Twitter to blast the 'fake' reports - with Brown branding them hurtful

Double take: They were joined by actor Karl Greenwood, who Steve has been mistaken for after rumours surfaced that the Apocalypse star had appeared in an noodle advert.

Screen grabs from Derren Brown's Apocalypse

Just pretending? Steve Brosnan becomes convinced by Derren Brown that the world is now overrun by zombies - but it's been claimed that he is an actor

Deception: It's the latest mind bending illusion from Brown - but Steve's Twitter page links to an actor casting website

Brown hits out: Derren called the 'fake' comments hurtful

Signing up: Steve registered for an acting database, and claims he will 'go that extra mile to help someone'

A spokesperson for Channel 4 added to the MailOnline: 'Derren Brown has been exploring the human mind and behaviour for more than ten years. In many of his TV shows, a principal role is taken by a member or members of the public who have responded to a general solicit and put themselves forward for selection.

'Whenever this has been the case, these lead participants have never been party in advance to the scenario that awaits them and they are never actors.'

The controversy started after a twitter account belonging to Steve, who studied drama at college, was linked to his site on Casting Call Pro - which is an online directory of professional actors and presenters.

Epic viewing: Audiences saw Steve's life turned upside down as he looked for a safe place to hide

Acting past? A screen grab has surfaced of him claiming he's filming a BBC pilot

On his profile, he claims he is 'very passionate about performing' and will go 'that extra mile to help someone'.

Changes were subsequently made to his Casting Call account, before the link was subsequently removed.

Simon Dale, the director of Casting Call Pro, told MailOnline: 'Steve Brosnan is not, as far as we are aware, a professional actor.

'He created a profile on Casting Call Pro (a site for professional actors) but never completed it, and didn't upload any professional acting credits or a professional acting headshot - and so his profile was never 'live' on our system as he didn't meet our joining criteria (i.e. he didn't have professional acting training or experience).'

Steve claimed in the video that he removed the link as he wanted to end the controversy.

Sharp eyed viewers also believed they had proved Steve was an actor after rumours surfaced that he starred in a noodle advert. BBC pilot: On his facebook page, Steve claims he's filming a pilot with Adam Buxton

BBC pilot: On his facebook page, Steve claims he's filming a pilot with Adam Buxton, but it's later claimed he asked for a photo after he saw Adam on set near his family house

Mind bending: Derren orchestrated the terrifying scenario from his control booth

Z Nation: The show depicts a world, which is now overrun by zombies

However, Brown wrote: 'A few theories have sprung up online – firstly that he is a working actor who has appeared in a comedy ad. I’ve seen the ad – that is not Steven. That is an actor with dark eyebrows who does look hilariously like him, but isn’t.'

And to prove it, he filmed Simon with the advert's actor, Karl Greenwood, for the YouTube video.

And that's not the only rumour that has added weight to the actor theory.

On Steve's Facebook, there is a picture of him next to Adam Buxon - which has the caption below: 'Steve Brosnan on Facebook. Starring in an Adam Buxton BBC TV pilot.'

However, it's been claimed that Steve merely saw Adam filming near his house and approached him for a photo.

Brown added 'All the people who take part in these shows are 100% real. Matt Galley, from Hero at 30,000 ft had similar accusations of being a stooge. Part of the pity of these rumours are that it’s always hurtful for the participants involved who have been through an emotional, transformative experience, are feeling really good about themselves and have been looking forward to the show going out. It’s horrible.'

Part two of Apocalypse airs on Friday, November 2.

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o dear caught out then

- MarkC , Northamptonshireburger, United Kingdom, 31/10/2012 12:13

Click to rate Rating 3

Fake, genuine? The wrong question is being asked. Was it entertaining? No. It was boring as hell. DB used to be fresh, lively and entertaining. This was because it was new, spontaneous looking and hit us with many different scenarios. Unfortunately he's fallen into the American trap of thinking that throwing vast amounts of money over rubbish will somehow make it treasure. Bigger is not always better. The problem is that the mentalist's repertoire is rather limited and can only be dressed up in so many ways. He's done it, he's done it to death and it's only the lucrative sums he that keeps him perfunctorily sleepwalking the same old routine albeit with a higher budget. And all you people giving the illiterate and 'positive' comments the green arrows, ask yourself the following question: if it was genuine how did he do it? Hypnosis? Well, do yourself a favour and youtube Pen and Tellers - hypnosis. Watch that, and THEN tell me it was hypnosis

- JOE blow , london, United Kingdom, 31/10/2012 11:09

Click to rate Rating 6

This show was the biggest joke in years. As is Derren Brown in my opinion. I refuse to believe that any person can walk up a complete stranger whom they've never met or spoken to and put them in a trance by whispering into their ear for a couple of seconds. Something which this con man has claimed to be able to do on numerous occasions. If he marketed his programs as "Entertainment" and he might get some credit for new ideas and programs which are a bit different, but don't claim they're real, because it's laughable!

- Brian , Cross Hills, 31/10/2012 10:50

Click to rate Rating 14

DM says: "And to prove it, he filmed Simon with the advert's actor, Karl Greenwood, for the YouTube video. And that's not the only rumour that has added weight to the actor theory" --> Aside from the irritating usage of the word "and" to start a sentence, how can weight be added to the actor theory if Derren proved it was not true? In the 10 years Derren has been on TV, this is the best you can do to "expose" him as a stooge user? And using an "insider" for evidence. What you now, the Sun?

- James , London, United Kingdom, 31/10/2012 09:57

Click to rate Rating 11

oh Derren, do us a favour love, all your stuff is fake! great entertainment, but fake, simple as!

- Sammy , London, 31/10/2012 09:16

Click to rate Rating 24

I can honestly see no reason why it would need to be faked. Why wouldn't you believe it? You wouldn't think in a million years that it was all put on just to prank 'little old you'. Regardless of the fact that it is just an extremely elaborate 'Beadles About' its believable. Why woulndnt you believe it?

- Twins Galore , Welling, United Kingdom, 31/10/2012 08:46

Click to rate Rating 31

Yet to make my mind up whether it`s fake or not. The only thing I`d say is, the actors on the coach didn`t seem too upset when meteors were exploding all around, when the coach was swerving about and the young girl was also strangely unmoved by losing her family. The Target must have been exceptionally gullible,if he was genuine.Derren Brown is very entertaining though. Clever man.

- Sherry , Canterbury, United Kingdom, 31/10/2012 07:58

Click to rate Rating 21

MissTVemployee- You should know that cheese is no good without a good whine.

- Loopy Lou , London, 31/10/2012 03:34

Click to rate Rating 13

Loopy Lou - what on earth has that got to do with the price of cheese?

- MissTVemployee , London, 31/10/2012 00:56

Click to rate Rating 8

Derren Brown is 100% real i have seen him live myself and he is a master of what he does. The man admits that what he uses is a combination of magic, hipnosis and theatre. He deserves to be apprechiated not criticized. As for is it right or wrong about what hes doing. i beleive its right its just basic phycology that hes using, to help change the guy for the better.

- Nick Doherty , barnstaple, United Kingdom, 31/10/2012 00:32

Click to rate Rating 35

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