A magician who reached the semi-finals of the Spanish version of Britain's Got Talent tragically collapsed and died during a show.
Members of the Madrid audience are said to have thought Arsenio Puro’s sudden fall was part of his act, but it soon turned to shock as he failed to get up.
Two off-duty police officers among the crowd realised something was wrong and started to perform CPR on him.
The 46-year-old died from a heart attack and was pronounced dead in hospital after being rushed by ambulance from the Houdini Magic Theatre in the Spanish capital where he was a regular performer.
The tragic incident occurred just after 9.30pm on Saturday. Well-placed sources confirmed his death was the result of “natural causes” and not linked to any tricks he performed as part of his magic performance.
A colleague known by his stage name of ElMundJaque said: “He collapsed on the floor but his show is so funny that initially people were laughing thinking it was him winding them up.
“Everyone really loved him, he was an artist who had grown through thousands of performances at the Houdini Magic Theatre, every week for the past 25 years.
“He filled those shows. We worked side by side for 15 years."
The dead man gained national fame in Spain after appearing on the country’s Got Talent show in 2019 where he reached the semi-finals.
A friend who paid tribute to him on social media yesterday wrote: “Always with a smile, always making people happy.
“You have left us but you leave so much, such a large footprint that you will always be eternal.
“Thank you for your kindness, for your happiness, for your magic and for your huge heart.”
Hypnotist Jeff Toussaint, another close pal, added in another tribute: “Arsenio was the engine of Houdini Madrid.
“You decided to go and do magic elsewhere. We will miss you my friend. You went too soon and today is a sad day. Rest in peace my friend.”
