Who is Britain’s Got Talent magician Keiichi Iwasaki?
BRITAIN's Got Talent has produced some major stars in recent years from George Sampson to Paul Potts.
In May 2022, a magician Keiichi Iwasaki wowed the BGT panel with his illusionist tricks and caused some controversy in the process, but who is he?
Who is Keiichi Iwasaki?
In May 7, 2022 magician Keiichi Iwasaki performed on the ITV show, and impressed the judges with his mystifying act.
His routine - which featured a levitating trick involving judge Alesha Dixon - received a "golden buzzer" from Ant and Dec.
The Japanese magician appeared to make a ring hover in the air and land on the judge's finger.
Fellow panellists Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and David Walliams appeared shocked and the audience broke out into applause when the illusion was completed.
Amanda Holden said: "You are funny, you’re quirky, you’re very, very charming and your magic was absolutely excellent. I mean, faultless."
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The 49-year-old performs street magic, and is now through to the semi-finals of the talent competition.
Has Keiichi Iwasaki appeared on Britain's Got Talent before?
Though his sleights of hand went down a storm among the show's audience, it was later pointed at that Keiichi had an advantage over other contestants.
Following his appearance, viewers at home drew attention to the fact that he has already appeared on other international Got Talent editions.
The trick he performed with judge Alesha had previously been used on Italia's Got Talent, where he reached the semi-finals.
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The show faced fix claims and fans online voiced their frustration that a professional had been able to perform.
One Twitter user wrote: "So a former Italy, Bulgaria, and Spain’s got talent act gets the golden buzzer then... hardly an unknown."
While another said: "Oh look, another golden buzzer for yet another professional act the producers have paid to perform in the UK."
The Sun approached ITV, who issued a statement about the claims and the magician's involvement in other international versions of the show.
A spokesperson said: "As with many other entertainers who are hoping for success in the industry, Keiichi, a street performer, had previously auditioned on television shows in the past.
"There are no rules that state this should prevent him from applying. All acts audition on the same basis and normal programme rules apply.
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"These claims unnecessarily encourage negative trolling against our contestants and “fix” claims are completely untrue.
We have always been very open about who can apply for BGT. We look forward to our viewers tuning in to show their support to Keiichi.”
