The late Paul Daniels’ nephew has auditioned for ‘Britain’s Got Talent’.
James Phelan took to the stage just a few weeks before the legendary magician passed away last month to dazzle judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, David Walliams and Alesha Dixon with his magic trick show after taking inspiration from the funnyman and his wife Debbie McGee.
Speaking to the Radio Times magazine, prior to Paul’s death, in a newly-released interview, he said: "I don’t think I’d be doing this without them; they’ve closed the ‘Royal Variety Show’, they’ve played it a few times and that plays a big part in me being here. There’s no other sort of inspiration I’ve taken. I’ve never really watched any other magicians."
The 23-year-old magician also hopes to follow in his uncle’s footsteps and present his tricks in a similar conversational manner as he believes that essentially wins over the audience.
He explained: "The trick almost doesn’t matter. It’s more a conversation and being on stage. The trick’s the excuse for you to be there, but then again, it’s not the be all and end all, you know? I’ve got a video, a VHS of my uncle playing the palladium in about 1979, and it is him, the stage, a box and that’s it. I was always inspired by that – how can this one person fill this whole theatre?"
Paul sadly passed away at the age of 77 on March 17, 2016, after losing his battle with an incurable brain tumour.