The show can not be filmed on the mainland UK because of gun bans

The channel says the stunt will be aired responsibly, with warnings dissuading viewers from copying it.

Russian roulette involves a single bullet placed in a chamber of a revolver. The gun is then aimed against a person's head, the chamber spun, and the trigger pulled.

The stunt may have to be filmed on the channel island of Guernsey to get round UK gun laws. Handguns of all types are banned on mainland UK.

A spokeswoman said: "Somebody will be chosen from the public who will put a bullet in a real handgun which they will then hand to Derren.

"He will use his mind control to determine which chamber the bullet is in. He will hold the gun to his head and pull the trigger until he comes to the live chamber."

ITC codes

Derren Brown is the star of Derren Brown: Mind Control, an illusion series that is returning for a second run this year. There will also be another one-off special, featuring a seance.

The spokeswoman said the roulette special would be filmed "as live" for TV broadcast.

She also said the programme would adhere to Independent Television Commission (ITC) codes.

The announcement follows Channel 4's recent broadcast of an autopsy, featuring Bodyworlds creator Professor Gunther von Hagens, which drew more than 130 complaints after it was screened last November.

The ITC later rejected the complaints, saying the broadcast had not been sensationalist and had not broken broadcasting rules.