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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Entertainment
Justin Kelly

Britain's Got Talent viewers baffled as Irish schoolboy magician disappears from stage during performance

Britain's Got Talent viewers and judges were baffled on Friday night as Irish schoolboy magician Cillian O'Connor disappeared during his performance in the live semi-final.

Cillian, who has Autism, took to the stage and the screens of millions of viewers for the final live semi-final and again used judge Simon Cowell as part of his act.

Cillian asked Simon to write a random word on a handkerchief with his initials on it so that it was totally unique. Simon wrote the word 'dog' and left the hanky on the judges table in front of him.

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Meanwhile, Cillian asked judge Bruno Tonioli to bore a hole through the centre of an apple before asking the Italian to wrap it in a cloth and hold it above his head.

Cillian then showed the crowd Simon's handkerchief before making it vanish before their eyes. He then unwrapped the apple which now had a hanky inside the core.

Upon pulling it out, it was revealed as Simon's unique creation. The crowd gasped and Simon sat open-mouthed as the 13-year-old made his way to the stage for a big finish.

Standing in the centre of the stage, he appeared to throw the handkerchief into the audience. As an animated version made its way around the studio and back to the stage, it burst into a shower of confetti. When it settled, Cillian was no longer on the stage.

He re-appeared moments later from a cardboard box placed on the stage and received a rapturous standing ovation from the judges and the crowd.

Amanda Holden said she was "lost for words" while Simon said, "there's just something about you." The difficult-to-please judge said he still believes in magic and said "so do they" as he pointed to the audience who were still on their feet.

"You're so good at what you do," Simon added, before Bruno said "we are all spellbound."

Viewers at home were equally impressed and took to social media to share their thoughts.

One woman wrote: "I'm in awe and sobbing, why am I sobbing at a magic act! Cillian you are fabulous that’s the best magic act I’ve seen! Just incredible."

"Cillian was truly amazing. That’s how magic is done. What a boy," another said.

Just two acts from Friday's semi-final will make it through to Sunday night's grand final.

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