Additional reporting by Finn Macdiarmid
A Kent schoolboy who left Britain’s Got Talent judges gobsmacked over his magic act is now one of the favourites to win the whole competition.
Eight-year-old Teddy Magic, from Ickham near Canterbury, spoke to KMTV about how he fell in love with magic and how it felt auditioning in front of some of the biggest names in entertainment.
Teddy’s appearance on the first episode of ITV’s 18th series of the hit show was his first time on stage – having not even taken part in a school talent show.
During his act, he popped a bottle of champagne without touching it which wowed the panel formed of KSI, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Simon Cowell.
Such was the impression he made that he is now the bookie's second favourite to win the whopping cash prize of £250,000 and a chance to perform in front of royalty at Royal Variety Performance.
Teddy was inspired to audition for BGT after seeing other magicians performing on the show and after begging his parents, Warren and Amber, to submit some of his clips.
While his first attempt was rejected, he persevered and was asked to show his talent for this series.
The youngster says it was “really cool” to get all four judges' approval despite it being a “tense” moment.
He said: “I stood on the stage, I was fine, I don't know why.
“I wasn’t nervous and it was really cool seeing all the people lined up in perfect rows.”
Warren says his son’s showmanship suits his “technical” personality which he gets from his grandad.
He said: “He’s really good at solving Rubik's Cubes and likes figuring out how things work.
“That also combines with being the centre of attention.
“He's constantly coming up just trying to show us new tricks and things he'll learn himself.
“He’ll watch a video somewhere and then try and replicate it.
“He has manifested the whole thing himself. It was nothing to do with either me or Amber.
“Obviously we're here to support him but getting BGT was never an ambition of mine or Amber's.”
The tricks all started around four years ago when Teddy and his family were waiting for a delayed flight and wondering how to pass the time.
When his parents took him to a toy shop inside the airport he saw a magic set which had three different tricks to learn.
He told KMTV: “I learnt it, mastered it and then I showed my family and they really liked it.
“I bought some more and then I started showing my friends and my family. Then I started my YouTube which has eight videos now.
“I actually really like entertaining and all my hobbies are entertainment.”
BGT continues on Saturday.
