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Good advice from the Echo

A fire-eating magician and juggler who dropped his balls at a talent show took some good advice from a Bournemouth Daily Echo columnist – and ten years later has been crowned Children’s Entertainer of the Year.

Tony Carter has moved on from his juggling to become Juggins the Clown and is a hit along the south coast.

An ironic twist of fate – considering how Echo journalist Hilary Porter wrote how Tony should become a children’s entertainer as he was perfect for parties!

The deputy entertainments editor was on the judging panel and reviewing the show in the Echo.

Tony had entered the Daily Echo Star Trail talent contest as a fire-eating magician and juggler – and xx’s abiding memory was of him dropping all his balls.

Hilary wrote in the Daily Echo: “I only became aware that he had taken my advice when, three years ago, I was flicking through Yellow Pages to find an entertainer for my son’s fifth birthday.

“I had no idea who Clown Juggins was – but when I phoned him, he knew me. He said he could do the party, but would not reveal his real name!

“When he arrived at my house on the day of the party in full greasepaint I still could not identify him, but he was strangely familiar as I scrutinised his face.”

“The children loved his show and it was only when a relative asked him for his business card as he was leaving that his true identity was revealed – and he reminded me of the words of advice I had given all those years before.”

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