Britain's Got Talent escapologist Matt Johnson forces paramedics on stage after he 'nearly dies' mid-performance

Published: 01:03 BST, 29 May 2018 | Updated: 01:06 BST, 29 May 2018

e-mail

View
comments

He attempted to pick locks while submerged in a tank of water for his nail-biting audition.

And escapologist Matt Johnson was forced to call on paramedics for Britain's Got Talent live semi-final on Monday night.

During the nail-biting act, the 43-year-old frantically struggled to free himself well surpassing his safety zone time limit before gesturing for paramedics to help.

Scroll down for video

Terrifying: Escapologist Matt Johnson was forced to call on paramedics for Britain's Got Talent live semi-final on Monday night

Before his performance began the daredevil admitted there a 'good chance' he could die and was putting himself through 'hell on earth' to do the dangerous stunt.

After being locked in a metal straight jacket with three locks around his chest, Matt was then locked into a perspex head cage which was filled with water.

As the seconds ticked by, the escapologist looked like he was doing well as he managed to get rid of his handcuffs and started work on his straight jacket.

Scary: The 43-year-old frantically struggled to free himself well after his safety zone time limit was up, gesturing for paramedics to help during the nail-biting act.

Death-defying: Before his performance began the daredevil admitted there a 'good chance' he could die and was putting himself through 'hell on earth' to do the dangerous stunt

However it wasn't long until the quickly reached 1.45- the time Matt said he would be in trouble.

Paramedics could be seen entering the stage as he flailed his arms around in a desperate bid to free himself before calling for help.

Despite calling for help, Matt managed to free himself at 2 minutes 21 seconds and looked visibly shaken as he gasped for air.

Submerged: After being locked in a metal straight jacket with three locks around his chest, Matt was then locked into a perspex head cage which was filled with water

Breaking free: As the seconds ticked by, the escapologist looked like he was doing well as he managed to get rid of his handcuffs and started work on his straight jacket

Following the stunt, Amanda Holden said: 'Oh my God I really hate it, I hold my breath with you for the whole thing. I basically nearly passed out myself. It's exciting to watch - you’re very brave and I’m glad you’re still alive.'

Despite nearly facing death Matt failed to make it through to Sunday night's live finals.

His latest act comes after he admitted that his performance for his auditions was the closest he's been to death.

Drowning: However it wasn't long until the quickly reached 1.45- the time Matt said he would be in trouble, with paramedics entering the stage

In a recent interview with The Sun, the contestant revealed that 'I was underwater for longer than I’ve ever been before and obviously there’s a lot riding on it.'

Clearly experienced in his craft, he continued: 'I spent two years trying to learn how to hold my breath and then take that into psychological situations where I’m really panicking.'

Despite risking his life with the dangerous act, Matt ironically confessed that he still has fears: 'I don’t enjoy the thrill of petrifying myself. I’m scared of a lot of things. I’m scared of heights, I can’t go more than a couple of rungs on a ladder.'

Gasping for air: Matt flailed his arms around in a desperate bid to free himself before calling for help but eventually pulled himself free at 2.21

The escapologist previously revealed his brother's battle with a rare brain disease are the inspiration behind his nail-biting routines.

Matt told Lorraine Kelly that he performed his incredible audition after seeing his brother suffer with a condition that causes him to have irregular seizures.

He told the chat show host he wanted to understand how his brother feels when suffering a seizure, as he suffers from tuberous sclerosis which causes calcium deposits on the brain.

He said: 'He will go a day sometimes, sometimes a week, but you don't know when he's going to drop, so he can’t drive or work.

'Sometimes if he has two or three in a row, I wanted as a brother to understand what he goes through, and that's how it started.'