Latest news with #magician
Bloomberg
23-05-2025
- Health
- Bloomberg
I'm Glad I Got Appendicitis in the UK (Not the US)
Since I was a child, I've been terrified of appendicitis. There was no horseplay with my cousins and siblings after a meal. I suspect that myth was helpful to parents who wanted their children well-behaved in spite of post-dessert sugar highs. Still, everyone is born with an appendix and so we are all at risk one way or another. There are enough horror stories to make us wary. Most famously: Harry Houdini, the legendary magician and escape artist, who couldn't escape from a belatedly attended, ruptured appendix. (Apropos the jumping-about thesis, Houdini was punched in the stomach by an overexcited fan, but he was already experiencing belly pain a day before that.) He died of peritonitis — the bacterial infection of the abdominal cavity caused by pus from the burst appendix — on Halloween 1926, the 11th day after he'd noticed symptoms and about a week after surgery. All that said, appendicitis — and the appendectomies performed to rid people of the acute infections — is routinely dealt withnowadays, with some 280,000 cases in the US and about 50,000 in the UK every year. The procedures are mostly done laparoscopically with three small incisions that allow a small, lighted camera to guide surgeons toward the inflamed organ to remove it. There are few complications, though soreness and tenderness can last for a few weeks after. It is, despite the small incisions, major surgery. Most cases involve people 30 or younger, perhaps — as some studies surmise — because hormonal activity may lead to the blockage of the appendix's opening to the large intestine, the condition that leads to the inflammation of the finger-like, 2- to 4-inch-long tendril-like pouch. Tennis legend Rafael Nadal underwent an appendectomy in 2015 when he was 28; he went on to win seven more grand-slam titles.
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Britain's Got Talent child star QUITS show after causing chaos by going 'missing' during live semi-final
A Britain's Got Talent child star has quit the ITV show after he went 'missing' from the semi-final. Viewers were left gutted when fan-favourite magician Teddy Magic, eight, failed to appear on the live show last Saturday after pulling out. The youngest sent the ITV series into chaos as his VT played on the screen but he did not show up on stage, causing Ant and Dec to fill the time by chatting to the judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli. It was later revealed by Ant and Dec that Teddy would instead be performing later in the series. However, he failed to appear during a second live semi-final leaving many fans puzzled. It had now been confirmed that Teddy has quit Britain's Got Talent. A BGT Spokesperson told The Sun: 'After discussions with Teddy's parents and the production team, it has been jointly agreed that Teddy won't perform in this year's semi-finals, but BGT hopes to see Teddy again in a future series.' Teddy's family said: 'We want to thank everyone who has supported Teddy and cheered him on – he continues to fill our world with magic.' Unlike many other TV talent shows, there is no age limit on taking part in BGT. However, under 18s need the permission of their parents to apply, and must be accompanied to auditions and shows by a responsible adult. At the time viewers had plenty to say about young Teddy's no-show, with many speculating that he may have suffered with stage fright and that there should be an age limit with the acts. They wrote: 'Again like previous years bringing up issue if young children should be under such pressure and exposure in primetime for the sake of entertainment???'; 'I thought there was an age limit on this show, especially for the live shows, to avoid situations like this? Unfair to put so much pressure on a child.'; 'Parents pushing their kid Teddy to do this I think he's far too young'; Viewers had plenty to say about young Teddy's no-show, with many speculating that he may have suffered with stage fright and that there should be an age limit with the acts 'I don't think the little magician should perform too much pressure on such a young kid man. Needs to be an age limit teenager and above maybe.'; 'Really should be a minimum age requirement for sole acts. 8 years old is too young!'; 'Maybe bgt need an age restriction. Poor little guy if he's struggling.' The semi-final show ended with Simon's act Vinnie McKee winning and being put through to the grand final. He narrowly beat Alesha's act Linda Mudzenda who finished second and magician Eden Choi in third place. Speaking after his win, Scottish Vinnie said: 'I'm flabbergasted', adding: 'Thank you. This is mad, this is crazy, I'm loving it!'
