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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Katie Fitzpatrick

ITV Britain's Got Talent act leaves viewers terrified as he fails to beat clock in 'water torture'

A Britain's Got Talent act left the audience and judges terrified as he ran out of time in a 'water torture' challenge. Italian escapologist Andrew Basso had viewers on the edge of their seats with a close call during his death defying act.

He was suspended upside down under water in a tank and had to escape with a paperclip. Not only did he have to free himself Andrew had to turn his body the correct round to escape.

"This is the act that Harry Houdini said was the most dangerous and difficult," he introduced. "Being upside down throws the senses and the blood rushes to the head."

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Explaining that he had to get out of the tank within two minutes he said: "Any longer and I may not come out alive. I'm risking my life."

But as the clock reached two minutes, which Ant and Dec called 'The Danger Zone', the audience and judges Simon Cowell, David Walliams, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon started to worry. One audience member said: "I don't even think I can watch this."

He was suspended upside down in a tank (ITV)

At two minutes and 36 seconds the music went off and worried host Declan Donnelly said: "He's run out of music." Alesha asked: "Is this part of the act?" as Andrew appeared to struggle. And a member of the audience pointed out that he appeared to be panicking.

Andrew finally made it out unscathed at three minutes and three seconds as he gasped for air. Simon asked: "Why would you want to do that?" And Andrew answered: "I feel more alive right now."

He was told that the judges' 'hearts were in their mouths' with his act. "You're a great showman" said David. "Congratulations for getting out alive," said Amanda.

@c3roline asked: "is he drowning?" And @RyanGTweetsTV said: "I thought he was going to drown then. Thank god he made it #BGT."

@Mel_Jayne1207 watching at home tweeted: "Omg my eyes was glued to it. #bgt @BGT my heart was in my mouth. Wow amazing." Katy14243950 said: "It’s called Britain’s got talent not Britain’s risk your live. But my heart was beating and is beating so hard rn." And @F1zzyFish exclaimed: "THE WATER ACT WAS INCREDIBLE @BGT."

BGT fans were amused by the warning by host Ant McPartlin 'do not try this at home.' @pm83 said: "'Don't try this at home' Good job I haven't got a fish tank." @adamblade83 asked: "Don’t try this at home?? Go on then who has a water tank and chains in their living room?"

@lindafraser852 said: "Don’t try this at home like we all have a tank of water and a pair of handcuffs on hand." And @davidmc2467 said: "#BGT please don’t try this at home, yea, cos we’ve all got a huge glass cabinet in our living rooms."

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