Joel Mawhinney, an entertainer from Bangor, County Down, recently took to the stage on America’s Got Talent, performing a high-stakes routine that left the judging panel in disbelief. The former Blue Peter host began his audition by taking personal belongings from the judges, including a mobile phone and a framed picture of a dog, which he then appeared to destroy with a hammer.
Despite the initial shock, Mawhinney revealed that the items were entirely unscathed. Through a series of carefully orchestrated reveals, he showed that the objects had been hidden in various spots around the judges’ table, including inside a locked box and tucked away within a chair. While Howie Mandel and Simon Cowell expressed reservations about the pacing of the act, Mel B and Sofía Vergara were thoroughly impressed, ultimately granting the performer three yes votes to advance in the competition.
Reflecting on the experience, Mawhinney admitted that the stunt was the most nerve-wracking moment of his career. Having left his role as the 41st presenter of the long-running children’s series Blue Peter earlier this year, he aimed to re-establish himself as a full-time professional magician. He credited his background in live television broadcasting for helping him navigate the intense pressure of the audition.
