An escapologist who famously dangled upside down from the top of Blackpool Tower has dug himself a hole he won't be able to escape from - his own grave – the Blackpool Gazette cheerfully reports today.
And in an even headline grabbing twist, Karl Bartoni wants to be buried in a pet cemetery, alongside the graves of his beloved pets Charlie and Barney.
The 62-year-old - who lives in Grange Park, Blackpool – first made the decision to be buried in Rossendale Pet Crematorium when his dog Barney died 17 years ago.
But it was only when his Yorkshire Terrier, Charlie, died last year he set about putting his plan into action.
"I don't feel as though I'm being unusual," explained Bartoni, who was granted special permission for his burial. "Barney was a big part of my life and I really wanted eventually to be buried with him and when Charlie died I had the headstone made.
"There's a big difference between a dog owner and a dog lover. Charlie was a member of the family and I think he and Barney deserve what I would do for a member of the family."
Bartoni was watched by a crowd when he married Wendy Stokes mid-air at the of the tower in 1985, two years after he performed three daring escapes suspended 400ft from the tower, that was modelled on the Eiffel tower, and offers pleasing views of the Fylde coast.
Sadly, the couple have since gone their separate ways, and Bartoni - real name Antoni Peter Bartnik - joked by having his headstone made early at least he was able to spell-check his unusual name.
He said: "I knew exactly what I wanted to put on the headstone when the time comes and I can't guarantee there will be anyone who will do that for me. I've done lots of escapes in Blackpool - hanging from the top of the Tower, and death doesn't faze me."
Russell Gray, manager of the Rossendale Pet Crematorium, said: "We're quite unusual in that we have a licence to bury humans as well. There's only a handful that offer that in the country."
