BACKSTAGE MAGIC
I won Britain’s Got Talent – the first audition has unexpected problems & you get a big perk returning as special guest
IT might have been seven years since Richard Jones spellbound the crowds on Britain's Got Talent, but he still has the magic touch.
The Essex magician, 32, stunned the likes of Amanda Holden and David Walliams with his clever tricks back in 2016 and won the tenth series of the competition.
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After going on to dazzle in the Royal Variety Performance, Richard - who served in the Army for six years - has been back as a guest on BGT several times and even competed in specials.
He returned to entertain the masses in Britain's Got Talent: The Champions and in Christmas special Britain's Got Talent: The Ultimate Magician.
Here, Richard explains how his first audition threw up a lot of unexpected surprises - after not even knowing whether it would even be aired.
He also reveals the big perk you receive returning as a special guest and lifts the lift on his heart-warming relationship with Simon Cowell.
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First audition was 'big shock'
For his first audition, the magician cleverly made a cut-out portrait of David Beckham after asking Amanda Holden to think of a celebrity and not tell him who.
He also produced a cup of tea out of an orange soda can for David Walliams - which left the entire audience baffled.
The judges gave him glowing reviews after the audition, and once the show aired on TV months later, so did the public.
"I had a lot of sleepless nights after my first episode aired," he said.
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"It was mainly because I was trying to reply to everyone and the more people you're responding to the more replies you get.
"The night your first audition airs is the biggest shock because your social media follower numbers skyrocket and you get thousands and thousands of messages."
Four days' notice
ITV aren't able to give much warning to contestants as to when their act will be broadcast to the nation for the first time.
Richard was given just four days' notice and warned that his act might be culled at the last minute as the episode was being edited up until the last possible moment.
"It was really nerve-wracking when I was told it was going to be broadcast," he said.
"You never know how you'll come across on TV. I arrange to do a watch party with my parents, siblings and friends.
"It was a really lovely night and thankfully I didn't come across too badly."
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Show superstition
While each show Richard has done is different, there is one thing that always stays the same. Only he touches his props.
The veteran is always offered help setting up but he turns it down out of superstition that something might go wrong.
"I want to be the only person responsible if my act doesn't go to plan," he claims.
"I think it's possibly a thing from the Army but it would just be so easy for something to go wrong.
"I always keep hold of my stuff like there's no tomorrow so I know nothing can go missing.
"It means I have no one else to blame but myself if it doesn't go to plan."
Special guest perk
This approach didn't change even when he appeared as a special guest on Britain's Got Talent.
But one big thing did - Richard finally got to have his own dressing room.
As a contestant, it was a luxury that he didn't have - not that he minded.
He explains: "I could have just stayed in my dressing room but I thought 'what's the point?'
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"I wanted to go and meet people to hear about their acts and feel the buzz of the contestants. It was fascinating to find out about their talents.
"It was surreal to see how make or break it was for the contestants when it no longer was for me."
And Richard is no stranger to interacting with stars of the show as many get in touch for advice.
"I always tell people going on the show to be at the top of their game," he said.
"Because if they're not, it means the whole experience will be much more stressful.
"I also remind them not to spend too much time looking at negative comments. There will always be some.
"Instead, focus on the people you're having an impact on and making smile. That's what is important."
Magical pals
Richard claims the extra shows were less competitive than the original and that everyone wanted each other to do well.
He said: "When I did the magician special there was no rivalry because we were all so different and interested in what each other was doing.
"We were all giving each other tips on how to make things better. It was such a friendly show."
Sadly, Richard didn't win the festival special and the crown of Ultimate Magician was taken by Eric Chien from Asia's Got Talent.
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Simon still a fan
Since appearing on the series, Richard has kept in touch with Simon Cowell. The pair have met at multiple charity events, and the music mogul always finds the magician to catch up with him.
Simon would even mention his ideas for shows and Britain's Got Talent specials to the magician - some of which came to fruition.
Richard said: "At many charity events, Simon is bombarded with people wanting to go and say hi.
"So usually I'll wait and hold back in because I don't want to hassle him but quite often he'll see me and come over and have a chat which is a really lovely thing.
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"It always means a lot that he still cares."
Richard Jones is currently on his UK tour .
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