Cirencester tailor volunteers to juggle knives in front of 850 people - with no prior experience

On November 20, for one night only, Tom Wharton of Barrington Ayre will be spinning plates and juggling knives on the stage of the Cheltenham Town Hall in front of 850 people, having had no previous juggling experience.

He will join other local personalities performing their chosen talent before a live panel of judges to win the hotly coveted Star Talent crown.

Each contestant has been partnered with a professional trainer and has had just six months to prepare and perfect their act for the show.

All of the contestants, trainers, presenters and judges have donated their time and expertise to raise money for Gloucestershire-based charity National Star.

As with Strictly Star, a local dance competition that took place in 2014, Gloucestershire’s Star Talent aims to raise over £50,000 in support of people with disabilities.

With just over a month to go, Tom is staying positive about the task ahead.

“I thought it would better to approach the challenge with blind positivity than blind panic,” he said.

“This is something well out of my comfort zone but I am prepared to do it and learn something new as it is all in aid of a good cause.

“I’ve helped National Star with various fundraising efforts before so when they approached me to ask if I’d like to do something, I said I’d do whatever I can to help.

“They found a chap to teach me circus skills and that was it.

“My act will culminate in juggling knives. They’re quite sharp and dangerous; I thought they’d be plastic things, but they do hurt and can chop through an apple.

“If it all goes wrong at least I’ll have raised some money so it will be worth it.

The show will take place at Cheltenham Town Hall on Friday, November 20, and tickets are available on the website glosstartalent.org.uk

To vote and donate to Tom Wharton you can do so via glosstartalent.everydayhero.com/uk/tom-wharton-barrington-ayre-shirtmaker-tailor-ltd