Richard Jones: Britain’s Got Talent winner demonstrates illusions
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For one night only, viewers will be dazzled as some of the world’s greatest magicians from former series’ within the “Got Talent” international franchise will compete in Britain’s Got Talent: The Ultimate Magician on ITV One. The two-hour extravaganza will see 10 acts take to the stage to compete for the coveted title of “Ultimate Champion of Magic.” And while fans can expect to see some familiar faces on the judging panel, ITV have revealed one judge will not be returning.
For the past 16 years, fans of BGT have seen some of the most captivating magical acts take the stage to impress the panel of beloved judges.
And for the first time in the history of the franchise, 10 acts – all former contestants from Got Talent series around the world – will go head-to-head to become the ultimate champion and take home a spellbinding £50,000 cash prize.
While fans can expect to see the return of Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and David Walliams on the judging panel, global magic megastar Penn Jillette will be stepping in for Simon Cowell.
Due to other filming commitments from Cowell, “King of Sin City” and magic extraordinaire Penn will take the reins as fourth judge.
But the BAFTA and Olivier nominated magician, who makes up one half of the legendary duo Penn and Teller has confessed: “I don’t believe in magic.”
Speaking about his role in the new programme, Penn admitted it’s “tricks” he believes in rather than magic itself.
“Performance is really important, but over the years, I’ve developed a real love for pure, raw skill,” he said, talking about the acts that impress him the most.
As a magician who has performed around the world for over four decades, it takes a lot for an act to deceive him.
But according to Penn, a magic trick is not necessarily all about the deception, but rather the emotion and showmanship they bring to the trick. He added: “You can understand how a joke is put together and still laugh your ass off.”
Penn, who has the longest running headlining residency in Las Vegas history, will be the only judge on the panel to have first-hand experience of the competition’s discipline.
Speaking about Simon’s replacement, fellow judge Amanda Holden admitted Penn was “a better choice for this special.”
She added: “Penn knows his stuff, so actually it worked out really, really well.”
But magic acts have never been the most popular genre on the competition series and Amanda admitted that if the special had been suggested a few years ago she would have “froze” at the thought.
“Magic wasn’t a particularly loved genre on Britain’s Got Talent, but ever since Richard Jones won, it turned magic on its head for the show.”
Richard won the tenth series of BGT in 2016 and will be returning once again to try and retain his crown.
Other contestants returning to the prestigious stage include 2020 semi-finalist Magical Bones and 2018 semi-finalist Mandy Muden, who will also be the only individual female contestant in the special.
Mandy won the hearts of the nation during her series with her hilarious blend of magic and comedy, but admits there is a lack of representation for women in magic.
Speaking of her time on the show, she said: “I always loved magic but hated that there were little to no female magicians, only female assistants.”
The magical lineup will also include Colin Cloud (America’s Got Talent, Season 12), Marc Spellman (Golden Buzzer on BGT season 12), The Witch (BGT Season 15), Eric Chien (America’s Got Talent, Season 14 and Asia’s Got Talent Season 3 winner), Kevin James (America’s Got Talent, Season 2), Tony (America’s Got Talent, Season 12) and The Clairvoyants (America’s Got Talent, Season 11).
Simon will not be the only one missing from the special, as Britain’s Got More Talent host Stephen Mulhern steps in for Ant and Dec.
Having hosted BGT’s spin-off for 14 years, taking on the hosting role for the special was “like a dream come true.”
As a magician himself, Stephen thinks that the performance genre was perfect for bringing acts from around the world together because “magic is universal.”
He added: “You don’t need necessarily talk the same language.”
Britain’s Got Talent: The Ultimate Magician will air on Sunday 18th December at 8pm on ITV1
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