A FORMER member of the Parachute Regiment Band has made it to the final of Britain’s Got Talent.

“Mind reader” Richard Jones wowed judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, David Walliams and Alesha Dixon on Tuesday night.

The 25-year-old, from South Woodham Ferrers, performed a magic trick with Amanda Holden’s autobiography.

After asking Miss Dixon to choose a page and a word, he made the same page appear as a message in a bottle, which had been guarded by Cowell.

Mr Jones, who is now a member of the Household Cavalry, will perform in the live show on Saturday.

He could be joined by Colchester mother and daughter singing duo Ana and Fia Almanda, who are on the ITV show tonight.

Gazette:

The prize includes £250,000 and the opportunity to perform at the Royal Variety Performance in December.

To pursue his dream, Mr Jones has sacrificed a rehearsal for The Queen’s Birthday Parade next month.

Mr Jones was given permission to miss the Major General’s Review if he made the final cut.

Speaking before his semi-final performance, he said: “I just love the look on people’s faces when they see something that shouldn’t be possible.

“I know the British Army are behind me, I just hope tonight I can conjure up a winning performance.”

Gazette:

Since the announcement, the magician has appeared on ITV’s This Morning for a second time and has had a hard time digesting the news.

He added: “Thank you all so much for your votes and support, I still can’t get over the shock.”

Meeting Her Majesty has always been a dream for the Lance Corporal, who missed out on Britain’s Got Talent last year when auditions clashed with his military duties.

Nicknamed Magic Mike, he made a name for himself entertaining army comrades before becoming a sought-after performer at military events.

The final is on ITV on Saturday, from 7.30pm to 10pm.