As you will be aware through this thread, the final was held tonight in Leamington.
There were eleven acts on the bill with James performing fourth in the pecking order. Interestingly, there was another performer billed as a baloon modeller come magician and both he and James were also competing for the specialist act prize. This would be interesting!
There appeared to be some stiff competion judging by the programme with some having some pretty good credentials. Just on before James was a young guy that had won through to the last 50 of X-Factor last year, a young girl just after James who had supported the Sugababes and Girls Aloud, another girl who was a seasoned performer on cruises and finally, another singer who was appearing in her third final.
As this was a resorts competion it should come as no surprise to hear that there were different bands of supporters in the audience for each of the acts and Bournemouth was respectably represented as the cheers went up. Sat in the front middle of the stage I was surrounded by at least four different groups of friends and family from around the country (not including the Bournemouth lot) and it was interesting to hear the comments in between acts which at least were indicating that James was most peoples second choice behind their own favourite. But what about the judges?
James performed to his usual high standard which was Choreographed to perfection. He was definately winning over the audience as his act progressed with such slick moves. The stage was fairly large but James made good use of it all and he looked right at home. The pool cue production, marvelous card productions, fans etc. (and all with jumbo cards), his dancing pool cue was simply stunning which lead into his silks and jumbo pool ball productions to end. A rapturous round of applause followed and eight minutes was over in what seemed like two or three.
So how did James do? The first announcement was for the speciality prize and it was not surprise that James won the £500 prize. As for the rest, as always it was going to be the singers and the judges lived right up to expectations. James at least had a prize as the best speciality act which his grandad told me afterwards James was aiming to win.
So, in third place was (drum roll here)
JAMES and another £500. The look on his face as the resulkt was announced was a picture

Second and first places were both good but there were a fair few in the audience who were surprised by the judges choice although no-one denied James his third spot.
I caught a very brief word with James afterwards while he was waiting for the photo call and he was fairly happy in making third and even happier with £1,000 in the bank.
Singers are ten a penny but good magicians are a rare breed and James has bags and bags of talent. We'll be hearing and seeing more from James in the future.
and.... Well done James!
Member of the Magic Circle & The 2009 British Isles Close-Up Magician of the Year
It's not really an optical illusion - it just looks like one!