The first magician to win BGT, Richard Jones, returns to our screens this weekend in a special magic show called Operation Magic. He explained what it was like returning to BGT as a winner
Magician Richard Jones returns to our screens this weekend in a new magic show special – and also gets to revisit the show where he found fame, BGT!
Following his huge success from the talent show, the magician’s new TV special allows him to boost the morale of his army colleagues. In Operation Magic, Richard amazes everyone from new recruits to decorated veterans with his tricks, which saw him receive a standing ovation at the Royal Variety Show in December.
Since his win, Richard has been back to the visit the BGT team and even performed some magic for the judges in their dressing room.
During his visit he says Amanda and Alesha spilled some beans on the kind of acts they think will win the show this year. Sadly, Richard didn’t give any more away so we will have to keep watching to find out more.
Richard saw several magicians audition and they mentioned him as their inspiration. He said: “They were all positive which was good. It would have been funny if they had said something negative!"
The BGT winner said going back to the stage where it all happened was pretty surreal. He said: “It was great...being back was really bizarre, but I loved it. We spent the whole day there and when we had finished filming I spent the rest of the day just watching the acts."
Richard won BGT after captivating the audience with his phenomenal magic tricks. At the age of 19 he signed up to become a Bandsman in the British Army before undertaking four months of combat training. Richard continues to be in the army alongside performing as a magician.
He was the first magician to ever win the talent show, now in its 11th series, and he seems to have started a trend. Speaking about the acts he saw, Richard said: “There is some really great talent, loads of magicians. There were some great ones. I think it is a really good time for magicians; it seems to be really popular. I reckon a magician could win again.”
Since Richard’s BGT win, he has received several thanks from magicians who say more people are interested in magic than ever and it’s all thanks to his win.
Richard wowed the judges and the nation on BGT with tricks that included a David Beckham cut-out and turning a can of fizzy orange into hot tea. In his latest TV show, the BGT winner performs a trick with the Band of the Household Cavalry for Katherine Jenkins.
Can any of the new BGT hopefuls continue the magic streak? We will have to wait and see.
Operation Magic screens on Saturday, April 15 at 6pm.
Interview by Victoria Wilson
