Britain’s Got Talent likes Paul Daniels’ nephew… not a lot after he vanishes from edit
PAUL Daniels’ nephew has been cruelly snubbed by Britain’s Got Talent because too many magicians taking part.
James Phelan’s successful audition won’t be screened tonight and he has been ruled out of the live semi-finals — despite the fact Amanda Holden hailed his performance as “extraordinary”.
He told The Sun of his deep sadness caused by producers not airing his audition – after his late uncle’s last words to him were about the talent show.
The 23-year-old magician revealed: “The reason I was ever doing magic was because of my uncle.
“I wanted to take the opportunity of a live performance to do something that I think he would look down on me and enjoy and be proud of me for and I’m disappointed I’m not going to get that opportunity.”
James said he is heartbroken because his last conversation with Paul was about getting a “yes” from all four judges.
The economics graduate, who quit his job in the city to do magic full-time after his uncle was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour, added: “The whole thing is just so painful as the last conversation I had with Uncle Paul was us talking about Britain’s Got Talent.
“It was when he was in hospital and it was just me, him and my Auntie sitting round the bed. My Auntie was telling him ‘James is doing really well with his magic’.
“We knew how poorly he was but he didn’t understand but my Auntie told him: ‘When it’s on TV we’re all going to have to watch it’.
“It’s painful that it’s not going to air and I’m not going to have a physical record of that.”
James also spoke out about fellow BGT contestant Richard Jones — who ripped off his “mind-reading” origami stunt from Paul, who died two months ago aged 77.
He said: “Hilariously Richard blocked me on Facebook after The Sun’s article came out about him copying my Uncle. It’s quite childish really.
“I would have liked us to have had a head to head.”
A BGT spokesman said: “Given the large number of acts who audition for the judges, unfortunately we aren’t able to show all auditions due to time restrictions.”
Holden on as Kate Windslet
IT’S all hands on deck as Amanda Holden gets on board to help magician Christian Lee relive a windswept Titanic moment.
Tonight’s BGT sees the judge play Kate Winslet to Christian’s Leonardo DiCaprio as he uses the air from a balloon to help recreate the film’s most iconic scene.
And French acrobat Charlie Placais, 29, makes a splash as he hauls himself out of a full bath on two pieces of silk — while hoping the judges don’t pull the plug.