Schoolboy magician Cillian O’Connor has set his sights on performing in Vegas after melting hearts on Britain’s Got Talent.
The 14-year-old, who has autism and dyspraxia, wants to show kids with learning difficulties that dreams do come true.
Cillian, who is training to be a chess grandmaster, said if he wins BGT he will perform in Sin City.
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The teen with a photographic memory told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “My dream is to perform in Vegas, magic is huge there.
“It would be such an honour. I’d like to go to Vegas to see the magician Shin Lim and also Mat Franco.”
Cillian, from Donacarney in Co Meath, said he would put some of the £250,000 prize money to practical use at Drogheda Grammar School if he wins the ITV talent show.
He said: “Well the chairs are not that comfy so I’d probably swap
the chairs.”
Waterford illusionist Keith Barry has been coaching Cillian on some winning tips as the semi-finals draw near.
Cillian added: “We talk a lot. I went to see Keith’s show Brain Hackers.
“We had a short meet and greet before and we were talking about how I was getting on at the BGT audition and how I could improve.”
Cillian became the youngest ever member of the Society of Irish Magicians when he was just 10 years old.
His mind-blowing BGT audition, which earned him a yes from judges Simon Cowell, Bruno Tonioli, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon, has amassed an astonishing 80 million views on social media.
Since his TV appearance he’s been stopped for selfies everywhere he goes. He said: “I always carry around a deck of cards and a few things in my wallet, a cube as well.”
Proud Dad Richie said demand for Cillian to perform in Ireland and the UK is on the rise since his audition went viral.
He added: “Since BGT he does a few nights in a small magic bar and people are always asking him to do parties and to perform on social media.
“His forte is table magic, a lot of people think he’s going to do children’s magic but the stuff he’s doing is more geared towards adults.
“He’s definitely gifted.”
Mum Elaine opened up on how Cillian’s success has inspired others.
She said: “He had a dream, we got him there.
“But it was up to him to get on that stage and do the job.
“He inspires other kids who struggle the way he does. Anything is possible if you have a dream.”
Elaine said Cillian’s sensory autism meant performing on BGT was no easy feat.
She added: “There were so many triggers on that stage. It just shows that if you want something and you work hard enough for it, you
can do it. His life has definitely changed since he found the magic. It gives him something to talk to people about.
“Once he puts his little magic hat on, he turns into
this completely different character.” Elaine explained the daily challenges Cillian faces living with dyspraxia.
She said: “He has to have a sip of water for the second swallow of food. His tongue doesn’t work the same way because of the dyspraxia.
“If he doesn’t drink water with the second swallow he will choke.
“He would have had fears of getting on planes and lifts. He would have been terrified.
“We tried to help him a little bit at a time and look where he is now. It’s unbelievable.
“In time he overcame his fear and now he can go anywhere in the world.”
- The first live semi-final of Britain’s Got Talent airs on ITV and Virgin Media One on Monday at 8pm.
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