A MAGICIAN and juggler had the chance to perform in a Big Top circus after winning a talent competition.

Alex Lodge and Jake McCormick auditioned as a double act for the chance of appearing for one night in Billy Smart’s Circus, which visited War Memorial Park, in Basingstoke.

The pair, who met as neighbours in Winklebury, Basingstoke, impressed the judging panel with a juggling and illusion act.

Alex, 29, who now lives in Chineham, said: “I have seen Billy Smart’s Circus twice and it’s amazing. Me and Jake applied to the Big Top Talent Show and we competed against seven other acts.

“There was a ventriloquist, an acrobat and other acts and later in the week, it was announced that we had won the competition and we were invited to perform live in the show along with the other professional acts.

“It was a real honour considering how famous Billy Smart’s Circus is.”

Alex and Jake’s act consisted of Alex making a table float while Jake juggled, before Alex was locked up in a box with chains and handcuffs before magically escaping.

Alex, who auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent earlier this year, said: “It went down really well. It was a sell-out audience and they really cheered.

“For me, I have performed thousands of times all over the world, and this audience was probably the best audience I have ever had.”