Britain’s Got Talent winner Richard Jones escaped death after huge car bomb killed 100 in Afghanistan on secret mission to entertain troops
BRITAIN’S Got Talent winner Richard Jones narrowly escaped death during a secret mission to Afghanistan to entertain troops.
The 27-year-old magician had flown out to Kabul with three of his team to entertain servicemen and women still serving in the war-torn country.
After their arrival in January, an ambulance packed with explosives was driven into a busy market street a short distance from their base.
Countless people were injured and over 100 were killed in the attack, which Richard and his team were lucky not to be directly caught up in.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun Online, Richard explained: “When we landed we were aware there was a big threat in the area. It was suspected that a group had been waiting to strike.
“When someone big in the media or the public eye is there, the threat level is heightened and they would have loved to target us and the coalition troops. But on this occasion they realised if they tried to target our base, they probably wouldn’t get far and that if they killed people they probably wouldn’t kill that many.
“So in the end they decided to go for mass casualties and decided to go for civilians. They stole an ambulance and packed it full of explosives. It went off just down the road from where we were at the time.
“It was awful, they basically targeted the busiest street they could find and essentially destroyed the whole street in this market.”
In the two weeks Richard and his team were in the country, they came under attack on a number of occasions.
Richard, who serves as a Lance Corporal and an ambassador for the British Army, is well versed in protocol.
However his team knew little of what they were getting themselves in for and Richard praised them and the British army for taking such good care of them.
He explained: “It was a personal mission for me. I wanted to make a difference in that part of the world.
“But I give a lot of credit to my team and the risk they put themselves in. They had their families at home and I had my family at home worrying about us going into a dangerous environment.
“The day we flew out the Intercontinental hotel was attacked. The families of my team were incredibly worried about them. They were nervous on the flight over but once we landed we knew we had a job to do.”
After landing in the army’s main base in Kabul, Richard and his team set about creating a makeshift stage.
With full lightening equipment and a sound system, they constructed a mini-theatre to entertain the hundreds of British and coalition forces still working in the area.
They put on six large shows at the main base and various others, as well as flying out to more remote parts of Afghanistan to visit the troops.
Richard, who won BGT in 2016, said: “We did shows for all the nations but most of the shows were multi nation. There were people from all over the world, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand – it what amazing.
“After the main show in Kabul, we flew out to remote corners of the country.
“Some of the British troops had been there for anything up to six months and they’re missing home. So we filled up huge crates with sweets, chocolate and fizzy drinks.
“They had no idea we were coming so when we arrived in our helicopter with this huge crate of supplies it felt a bit like Christmas.
“With the shows we were taking their minds to a different place. We wanted to give them something to smile about. These guys are missing home and they are under attack on a weekly basis.”
As well as entertaining troops, Richard was able to go out with troops to meet locals – an experience he said he’d cherish.
He explained: “These people had never experienced magic. I didn't want to do anything that was powerful in case they panicked. So I was hesitant at first but when one of my guys was chatting to them they came over and I ended up performing to a group of 20 men.
“They’d never seen magic so their reaction was brilliant. Many of these people had lost loved ones and had lived their whole lives through some kind of conflict. Their resilience and positive attitude is inspiring.”
During Richard’s time in the country they came under attack a number of times and he was keen to praise those in the forces who took care of him and his team.
He said: “There were a number of attacks while we were there, six big ones in our vicinity. The ambulance attack was the only one to make it onto the news.
“It took a while for my team to reach their families and they were incredibly worried.
“All my family are army so they get it to an extent but I have to give credit to my team as they are incredibly brave.
“We were briefed on what we had to do in the case of the attack. The guys looking after us were amazing and treated us like royalty.”
Since winning Britain’s Got Talent, Richard has retained his role in the armed forces but also travels the world putting on shows.
Despite the risks, he is keen to go back again to entertain British troops whenever he can.
He explained: “In the last few years, even though we are still there, a lot of people think we Afghanistan and that we aren't there anymore.
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“For the troops that are there, they are putting their loves on the line every day to make a difference in that part of the world. They get no credit for it and it’s a massive shame for those guys and girls.
“They were without a doubt the most appreciative audience I've ever entertained and I would do again in an instant.
“To go over and make a difference to them and to bring a smile to their faces is priceless.”
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