Britain’s Got Talent escapologist Matt Johnson first auditioned for the show last year, it’s been revealed.
Saturday night saw the brand new series kick off and it did so with a true variety act.
We met daredevil 43-year-old Matt Johnson, who is originally from Rotherham but is currently living in Canada.
Matt performed an escapology trick, whilst locked and chained inside a tank filled with water.
It shocked the judges as he battled to free himself but eventually made it out alive.
With four yeses from the panel, Matt was put through to the next round.
But it turns out it wasn’t his first time on the show.
According to The Sun newspaper, Matt originally auditioned last year but his performance was abandoned when his tank cracked.
It flooded the studio and required the audience to evacuate.
“Matt tried out last year but it went completely wrong. His act is all about risk, but his equipment failed,” a source told the newspaper.
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reports how medics appeared on stage when it looked as though Matt’s trick was going wrong again at this year’s auditions.
“We could see paramedics at the side of the stage and that was when we thought something might have worried them,” an insider said.
However they were not needed, with Matt freeing himself from his underwater prison to the amazement of the judges.
That was unbelievable,” said Simon Cowell, “Respect Matt.”
David Walliams agreed: “Huge respect for risking your life for our entertainment.”
And Amanda Holden applauded Matt for his bravery, before she and the other judges gave him a yes into the next round.
Auditions continue next weekend with a brand new set of hopefuls wanting to make the live shows.
The lucky act who captures the heart and imagination of the British public will secure themselves an incredible £250,000 and the opportunity to perform at the Royal Variety Performance 2018.
Britain’s Got Talent airs Saturday nights on ITV.
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