2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Gerry Warren)
A Kent entertainer’s “completely nuts” act has earned him another shot at fame on one of the country’s top television talent shows. Allan Swan from Faversham appeared on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent Unseen on Saturday night dressed as a chicken while immersing himself in a giant yellow balloon. His bonkers performance saw him put through to the next round of the show - despite a scathing summing up from Simon Cowell who said: “I mean this as a compliment - if you were about three-years-old, you’d like this act.
” Yet he still cast the deciding vote which saw the 41-year-old family entertainer given another chance to perform for the huge television audience. Allan came on stage in a chicken costume carrying a giant egg-like yellow balloon which he contorted himself inside, with his head poking out, before proceeding to hop up steps and even skip. Judge Bruno Tonioli said: “Completely nuts.
It was a total mess, but I couldn’t stop watching it. However, it’s a ‘no’ from me.” Amanda Holden said: “I really like the fact that this feels very British and very eccentric.
” “I just love people who come up with weird, wacky and wonderful stuff that makes you smile,” added Alesha Dixon. They both gave him a ‘yes’, with Simon finally adding his support to send Allan through. After the show, Allan said it was one of the most nerve-wracking experiences of his life.
“I’m used to entertaining in front of a crowd but this was a different level, “ he said. Allan is a former boxer who decided against a career in the professional ring to become a family entertainer, learning his trade busking on the streets of Kent. He now presents his ‘Juggle It All’ show at children’s parties, functions and weddings.
He said: “I spent months working on the chicken and egg balloon act with the help of a good friend, Mike Farris from Chartham, who designs and builds my props. “It is actually more dangerous than it looks and I must admit I got a few bumps and bruises while practicing. “It was touch and go whether I got through on Saturday night but fortunately Simon came through for me and I’m feeling on top of the world.
” But Allan says he has an even more daring act lined up for his next performance. As well as his family entertainment business, Allan is also a part-time actor, with his latest role playing a gangster in the Amazon Prime film , A Brother’s Bond, starring and directed by Luke Mayers, from Folkestone. But he says his Britain’s Got Talent appearance is his biggest audience yet.
“It’s certainly put me out there and I have had so many messages of support, some from people I don’t even know.” Allan and his partner Vicky Foulcer, who is also a family entertainer, will be running a Mega Fun Day off the Whitstable bends on Bank Holiday Monday, August 11, where he will be performing his BGT act..
