SCEPTICS and outright believers were shown to their seats of the Pavilion Ballroom for an evening of mediumship.

On a personal level, I feel for anyone labelling themselves as a psychic because they have the job of trying to win people over and convince them of their skill.

However, on the other hand, it also doesn't sit too comfortably with me that the majority of people coming to these shows are bereaved and potentially vulnerable. They simply have to buy a ticket to an event in an entertainment venue and nervously wait to see if the person onstage 'contacts' their friend or relative on the other side.

Tony Stockwell continues to bring jokes, laughs and opportunities to smile with him when he gives information which doesn't create the intended reaction until the end of the show.

He is light-hearted, likeable and he visibly works hard to bring comfort to those desperately seeking it.

A heart-breaking example of this is the couple sitting next to me in the audience, who it transpires lost their son recently. Mr Stockwell 'brings forward' their son and offers details to their surprise, such as the fact they'd looked at their son's handwriting two days before, his photo earlier in the day and how they contacted him before they knew that he had so tragically died.

The husband tells me after that his wife would sleep well for the first time in weeks since their son's death, knowing that he was safe and happy now he was on the other side.

When you see a loved one going through the grieving process, you'd pay any money to take the pain away from them. Clearly many see this as the best option.

By the end of the show, I felt no more certain about my thoughts on mediumship. Tony Stockwell's show is a game of clever skill, either way, and it does seem to offer reassurance to those looking for some light at the end of the tunnel, but I'm not keen on the thought that one person's loss is another's gain on their bank balance.