He's done coast to coast specials for US television, is about to open in Las Vegas, and will star in his own one-off special for ITV this autumn.

But there is one trick popular Irish magician Keith Barry can't pull off.

It's to get a new show on RTÉ.

Despite massive ratings for previous series, in recent months the Waterford man says he's "frustrated and disillusioned" with the national broadcaster after they turned down three programme submissions made by him.

Barry told the Sunday Tribune: "I don't understand it, because every time I play Vicar Street it sells out. At this stage I have more chance of getting a new TV show anywhere else in the world other than on RTÉ. It's a shame because I've lots of new tricks, new stunts and effects but the message I keep getting back from RTÉ is 'we don't have a slot for you.'

"It just seems like they don't want any of my TV shows, which is strange because I believe I have a lot to offer."

However, it wasn't always like this for the 31-year-old magician who began his career with RTÉ back in 2003 with his first TV series, Close Encounters With Keith Barry. The series featured celebrities Keith Duffy, Bob Geldof, Gerry Ryan and Caroline Corr helping with the tricks and consistently topped the home ratings on Sunday nights.

International success soon followed with Barry signed up by MTV in 2004 to do the series Brainwashed which led to US network CBS hiring him to star in Keith Barry Extraordinary in 2006, a one-off special where the guests came straight from tinseltown and included Matthew McConaughey, Jessica Simpson and Elijah Wood.

But since his last RTÉ special, Keith Barry Mind, Myths and Magic, aired on Irish screens in March 2007, Barry believes he's been out of favour with Donnybrook chiefs and claims he's now so frustrated and disappointed with the station's attitude, he has given up banging on their door.

"The next round of programme submissions are coming up at RTÉ but I'm not even going to approach them with anything because it's disheartening when you keep getting refused. If they want any ideas from me, they can ring and ask."

However, while publicly thanking RTÉ for helping to make him a star, he hasn't discounted a move to rivals TV3.

"I have been exclusive to RTÉ in Ireland for the past five years but this exclusivity has now come to an end. I regret it because I am very grateful to RTÉ for what they have done for me in the past. I started my TV career with them but now it looks like I'll have to concentrate more on my work with other broadcasters."