Britain's Got Talent: Stripper voted off but young ballet dancer James and impressionist Les win through to finals

By JODY THOMPSON


Fit body: But Wachiraporn Tirpak didn't fit in with the viewers idea of who should win Britain's Got Talent and got voted off the show tonight


Co-host Declan Donnelly has another go at Simon Cowell over axing of Cheryl Cole from the X Factor too


She'd hoped that flashing the flesh would help her win through to the finals - but Bangkok-born stripper Wachiraporn Tirpak was sent packing by the bemused judges on Britain's Got Talent tonight.

The 28-year-old exotic dancer had hoped she'd impress by simply stripping to her bikini then changing into a series of costumes - but the judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Michael McIntyre saw sense and buzzed her off.


Need a lift? The wannabe will need a taxi rather than a couple of hunky backing dancers to get back to her home in King's Lynn now she's been voted off


Only David Hasselhoff let her see her act through to the end, probably as he was still trying to work out what it was actually about. However, she was soon sent packing home to King's Lynn.

Instead, talent won out and 11-year-old autistic ballet dancer James Hobley and Liverpudlian impressionist Les Gibson were put through to the grand final on Saturday - and the chance to win £100,000 and perform before the Queen.


Window dressing: The Bangkok born dancer didn't really do much apart from walk around the stage in different outfits


After Wachiraporn's act, which saw her emerge from giant giftwrapped boxes to the tune of Rihanna's Only Girl In The World wearing a selection of outfits as backing dancers cavorted around her, former Baywatch star David said: 'Your act the first time was like an LSD trip and this time around it was more of the same, but I don’t think it was up to the par to present to the Queen.'


Inspirational: All four judges said James Hobley showed people what could happen if they followed their dreams - then Amanda voted to put the bell ringers through


Michael was even harsher, saying: 'I just felt really embarrassed, Simon kept looking at me like I was in a lot of trouble. I felt a little like I was on a stag night to be honest!'

And Amanda waded in too, saying: 'It wasn’t very good; I have a five-year-old daughter at home who does shows for me most evenings and those are better.'


Tense: Les Gibson (L), James as well as Gay and Alan (R) wait to hear who the judges want to put through to the live final



Shock: Neither James nor Les can believe they've got through to Saturday's grand final


But Simon took it out instead on his three fellow judges, who'd put her through in the first place when he hadn't been there.

He chided: 'I just don’t know what you three (David, Amanda and Michael) were on that day. Was this the same day as the poodle (referring to dog act Angela and elderly poodle Teddy)? I said yesterday the show was bonkers, today this has gone to a new la-la level.'

Nevertheless, the public were not swayed by Wachiraporn's saucy but surreal routine and instead voted through James, with his stunning routine to Leona Lewis's Happy, and Les, after his uncanny impressions which even included show hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly.


Hot stuff: The show, the third semi-final was opened by freak show Circus Of Horrors


Don't try this at home: The act featured a sword swallower who had sparks flying from his dagger


Throwing shapes: Street dance act Abyss failed to get put through too


In fact, Les's performance was so spot on, it even sparked a jovial spat between Ant and Dec and Simon, where Ant once again brought up Simon's part in the sacking of Cheryl Cole from the U.S. version of The X Factor.

Les had done a sketch which was set around The Apprentice, and featured him doing the voices of Lord Alan Sugar, Louis Walsh, Gordon Ramsay and Ross Kemp before sequeing into Ant and Dec and getting their Geordie accents spot on.

The audience gave Les a standing ovation and as the applause died down, Ant and Dec went straight to Simon to ask him his opinion.


On song: Michael Buble-alike Jay Worley won fans with his swing-style cover of Kings Of Leon Use Somebody - but not enough to win



Doggone: Angela & Teddy were cute but poor old Teddy wasn't feeling up to performing all his tricks on the night


Going like the clappers: Handbell ringers Gay And Alan did a version of tunes from Phantom Of The Opera but didn't quite hit the right note


With a smirk, he hinted he could replace Dec with the contestant instead, saying: 'Ant and Les has a nice ring to it don't you thing? As we know, that's showbiz....'

But Dec hit right back, chiding: 'He's got it right in for the Geordies this week hasn't he!'

He then made a jokey aside to the camera about Les as they went to the break saying: 'I think he's rubbish.'


Tough call: The four judges had some big decisions to make tonight when deciding who to put through


Feeling green: Avril Lavigne, sporting lime-coloured streaks in her hair, performed live on the results show


Looking swish: Judge Amanda Holden had another 'Timotei' moment when she arrived at the studios before the show on motorbike and shook her hair after taking her helmet off


BGT king: Head judge Simon and ex-girlfriend Jackie St Claire arriving at the studios in north London ahead of the third semi-final


However, he proved to be the outright winner of the show, the third live semi-final, winning the biggest number of public votes, after Avril Lavigne had performed live on the results show.

It was then down to the judges to decide between the other two in the top three, dancer James and handbell ringers Gay and Alan.

But only Amanda plumped to put Gay and Alan through after their ringing rendition of songs from Phantom Of The Opera, so it was James who went through to the final.

Other acts battling it out on the show tonight but failing to win through to the finals were freak show The Circus of Horror, dog act Angela & Teddy, swing-style singer Jay Worley and street dance crew Abyss.

Britain's Got Talent is on every day this week on ITV1 at 7.30pm and 9.30pm, as the further acts are whittled down to qualify for Saturday's final - and the chance to win £100,000 and play for The Queen at the Royal Variety Performance in December.


Wachiraporn Tirpak - Semi-Final - Britain's Got Talent 2011, click

Les Gibson - Britain's Got Talent 2011 Semi-Final, click

James Hobley - Britains Got Talent, click


Britans Got Talent Amazing gay and allen bells 2011 1st june semi finals



Britans Got Talent Amazing james hobley dancing 2011 1st june semi finals


source: dailymail

Piers Morgan left blushing after burlesque dancer performs on America's Got Talent

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Sultry: Burlesque performer Olivia Bellafontaine got Piers Morgan's temperature rising with her seductive routine on America's Got Talent last night


Piers Morgan was left blushing last night whilst attending to his judging duties on America's Got Talent.

The 46-year-old was captivated as a burlesque performer did a risqué routine on the family talent show, which made it's return to the TV screen.

Sexy Olivia Bellafontaine got both Piers and fellow judge Howie Mandel's temperatures rising with her seductive routine.

In a feather and fringed revealing black two-piece outfit, the brunette whipped up a frenzy with her sensual moves and lasso style whip.

The judges were almost rendered speechless by the end of the routine, especially Mandel, who struggled to find the words as his wife watched on from the crowd.

'Hahaha, I have a dilemma... My wife and my daughter are sitting right there, so I don't want to say how much I liked it.' Howie said.



Blushing: The performance certainly got Piers's temperature rising


'I don't quite have that dilemma as my wife is in a different country at the moment!' Piers laughed.

With the support of third judge Sharon Osbourne, the sexy brunette got through to the next round with a 'yes' from each judge.

The sixth season of America's Got Talent kicked off with eyebrow-raising acts from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Kicking off in the city of dreams, Los Angeles, the judges were hoping to find some hopefuls to compete to be next star who will claim the top prize of $1,000,000 and also a chance to headline a show in Las Vegas.

Sharon opened the reality show by asking host Nick Cannon about his personal life at home with his wife Mariah Carey.

The 58-year-old, who was dressed in a simple black suit and wore her flame red-hair perfectly coiffed, asked the rapper and actor how he was going a being a dad to his newborn twins, Monroe and Morocco.

'What I want to know is what it is like to be a daddy,' she asked.



Frightening: Gasps were drawn when Frank Miles juggled live stun guns which added up to a collective 1.5 million volts in current


'It's amazing, thank you for asking. It takes talent to be a father, I figured that out,' he replied.

As always, there were laughs, tears and even screams, from both the audiences and judges as they endured a slew of auditions.

Gasps were drawn when Frank Miles juggled live stun guns adding up to a collective 1.5 million volts in current, while standing in some water.

The middle-aged man pulled the dangerous stunt off without a hitch, clearly impressing the terrified judges.

'That was great, that was dangerous, it was funny, it was unique,' said Howie.


Pushing limits: The performer took it one step further when he stepped into a bucket of water


'Can we assume Frank, if we bring you back will their be more attempts to kill yourself on the show? Then in that case, yes', joked Piers.

Frank Olivier, 50, a unicycle rider also did a juggling act, but this time his weapon of choice was flaming torches.

The over-excited performer held onto Howie's bald head as he tried to manoeuvre the one wheeled bike.

Close to to burning the judge's cranium with the flame, Howie begged the fellow judges to press their buttons to stop the act.


Shocked: Sharon and Piers were left on the edge of their seat during the death-defying act


You nearly infected his head, you nearly burnt him and you scared him... In short you have become one of my favourite acts ever,' Piers laughed.

A shocked Howie simply refused to vote, but the performer got through after a 'yes' from both Piers and Sharon.

The talent show would not have been complete without some sort of animal involved, and Debbie didn't disappoint with her pet parrot Danny, who had the audience in fits of laughter.

With little instruction from his owner, the little green bird mimicked words like 'shut-up' and even impersonated noises that other birds and a cat make.


Entertaining: The talent show wouldn't be complete without some sort of animal involved and Debbie and her pet parrot Danny had the audience in fits of laughter


Piers stood to his feet, clapping and impressed, when the bird guessed that Debbie was impersonating a chicken after she made a clucking noise.

'That is the most intelligent animal I have ever seen in my life,' he exclaimed.

After Debbie revealed that she also had parrots that painted and read minds, all three judges put her through to the next round.

The three judges were also particularly taken by nervous pianist and singer, Ryan Andreas, 34.


Impressed: Piers stood to his feet, clapping and clearly blown away with Debbie's act


The IT expert impressed them with his raspy rendition of Sarah McLachlan's ballad, Angel.

As the audience gave him a standing ovation, the shy musician was close to tears.
'Well I have to say you blew me away!' said Sharon.



In danger: Frank Olivier, a unicycle rider also did a juggling act, but this time his weapon of choice was flaming torches that nearly burnt the head of judge Howie Mandel


All judges voted yes to the gracious family man.

Getting no love from the audience nor the judges was 54-year-old John Jacobson.

The over-enthusiastic music teacher annoyed the judges as he attempted to teach the audience how to do his Double Dream Hands Dance.


Crass: A man who did arm-fart impressions of the judges farts, made the crowd laugh, but the act was just too grotesque


Even though one of his instructional videos on YouTube had over two million hits, he was meet with boos from the audience and no ticket to Vegas.

The judges did however put through Landon Swank, who put on a Vegas-inspired magic show for the crowd.

With his disappearing girl in a box act, the judges put the handsome 26-year-old from Alaska through to the next round.


Victory: A 12-year-old Samoan-style fire dancer got through to the next round


Impressive: A troupe of break-dancers called Illuminate, who performed in the dark with light suits was definitely a highlight of the night


Over in Atlanta, a slew of performers also turned up the heat.

In particular, a group of 24 Latino dancers called the Miami All-Stars, who all moved in unison with sexy flare, and a trio of adorable kids called SH'Boss Boys who memorised the crowd with their rapping and dancing.

Little Young J melted the hearts of the judges when he revealed that if he won the show, 'he would buy a big, big house and put kids in there who don't have a home.'


No dice: A dancing troupe of senior citizens in nappies attracted boos from the crowd


Among those booted out in the auditions in both Los Angeles and Atlanta, were a dancing troupe of senior citizens in nappies, a man who does arm-fart impressions of the judges farts, and a robot-style dancer who fell off the stage.

Also going through to the next round were a 12-year-old Samoan-style fire dancer, another magician and a troupe of break-dancers called Illuminate, who performed in the dark with light suits.

The special outfits were controlled by their choreographer through a computer, leading to stunning shapes and formations.

Piers was partcularly blown away by the routine.

'That is probably the most single most exciting audition I have seen on this show,' he gushed.

And for a bit of light-hearted fun Morgan and Cannon also got on stage for a sword fight, after taking the swords off a husband-wife team.


Banter: Morgan and Cannon also got on stage for a sword fight after taking the swords off a husband-wife team


America's Got Talent Season 6 - Vegas Birds, Danny the Parrot



Frank Miles America's Got Talent Auditions Juggling Stun Guns



Guy falls off stage on America's Got Talent



America's Got Talent Stephanie Sanson


source: dailymail

Hurting the family brand: Kim Kardashian upsets mother Kris by vowing to take fiancé Kris Humphries' name

By ANDREA MAGRATH

Going against mother: Kim Kardashian plans to change her surname when she marries fiancé Kris Humphries


There seems to be a case of 'Do as I say, not as I do' in the Kardashian household.

Family matriarch Kris Jenner has spoken of her disapproval of daughter Kim taking on her fiancé Kris Humphries' surname when they marry.

Mrs Jenner says she does not want Kim to give up the name that has become a globally recognised brand - despite the fact that she also dropped Kardashian when she remarried.


Engaged: Kim and Kris Humphries, pictured in Monaco on Friday, announced last week that they plan to marry


'I don’t think she should take his name and be Kim Humphries,' Kris, 55, told PopEater.com.

'I think she needs to be Kim Kardashian because she’s worked so hard to get where she is.'

But Kim, 30, plans to go against her mother's wishes, according to TMZ, which reports that the reality star will 'for sure' take the basketballer's surname after she walks down the aisle this summer.


Kim has dismissed claims that she wore an identical ring during her relationship with Reggie Bush in 2009


While Kim is the most famous and wealthiest of the group, the Kardashians have styled themselves as a family brand - appearing together in their multiple reality series and often in various endorsement deals - although Kim takes on many solo projects as well.

Kim's younger sister Khloe now goes by Khloe Kardashian Odom since marrying husband Lamar in September 2009.

Mrs Jenner has also warned her future son-in-law that he is in for a big lifestyle change.


Holiday romance: Kim and Kris jetted to Monaco for the Grand Prix after announcing the news last week


Kris purchased the enormous 20.5 carat diamond ring, thought to be worth $2 million, from Kim's favourite jewellery Lorraine Schwartz, despite being offered free rings from other companies.

Shwartz, a friend of the Kardashian family, wrote on her Facebook page: 'Wow, how romantic. Aside from the 20.5-carat diamonds, Kris wanted to add something extra special from him in the ring.


Keeping it in the family: The Kardashians have styled themselves as a family brand


'It took him 3 days to come up with a coded message of love for Kim to be engraved in the ring - along with a K <3 K. Amazing!!'

Once the lavish wedding is over and done with, Kim and Kris say they will be wasting no time in starting a family.

'We talk about it (having kids) all the time,' she told People. 'Kris is just as close to his family as I am to mine. In the next year we want to maybe try to start a family.'


source: dailymail

Boasts of drug taking and life in a girl gang. Say hello to X Factor's new judge Tulisa

By ALISON BOSHOFF

Pop success: Tulisa, centre, with N-Dubz bandmates Dino 'Dappy' Contostavlos, her cousin, left, and Richard 'Fazer' Rawson, right


The sun has risen over Ibiza by 7am, but the clubbers are still chasing a good time in Pacha nightclub.

One group, fuelled by champagne and vodka shots, is more raucous than most, and includes a young woman with bleached hair wearing masses of gold jewellery, with a huge tattoo covering her back and shoulder.

She has put up her hair using knickers as a hairband – an act her pals find hysterically funny.


Greek grenade: But Tulisa's PR people insist her hellraising days are behind her as she joins X Factor as a judge


The partygoer is Tula Paulinea Contostavlos, known as Tulisa, who will replace Cheryl Cole on the X Factor judging panel.

Simon Cowell thinks she is ‘fantastic’, and has decreed that Tulisa, who has had three hit albums with hip-hop group N-Dubz, is what the show needs to give it more ‘edge’.

Her £500,000 deal has just been finalised and she will judge the first X Factor auditions in Birmingham today.

She is, though, a somewhat controversial choice for a prime-time family entertainment show.

Tulisa, 22, has not only admitted to frequent drug use in her past, but was also a member of a violent girl gang as a teenager.

Known as the ‘Greek Grenade’ because of her hell-raising tendencies, her PR people insist her bad behaviour is behind her, but only last year, she was asked to leave a hotel in Miami after trashing her room following a drunken night out.


Down with the kids: Tulisa performing with N-Dubz. Simon Cowell hopes she will lend the X Factor 'credibility'


What’s more, in 2009, she was involved in a late-night fight outside a convenience store in North London that left one man with knife wounds and Tulisa in court as a defence witness.

Tulisa’s then-fiance, Adam Bailey, admitted to swinging a baseball bat ‘in self-defence’ during the scuffle, and Tulisa said a youth had pulled a gun on her.
A man was found nearby suffering a stab wound to his abdomen.

Bailey was charged with – but later cleared of – wounding with intent. Tulisa was arrested, but no further action was taken.


Tough childhood: Tulisa with her mother, Ann Byrne, a singer, who suffers from schizophrenic disorder


So why would Cowell choose a woman with such a chequered past to help front the reinvention of X Factor?

A source close to the deal said: ‘The producers love her because she is opinionated, young and credible. She likes to tell it how it is.’

That’s something of an understatement, since Tulisa holds opinions that are as vulgar as they are inarticulate.

She told one of her Twitter followers they were ‘ugly’, adding: ‘Shame ur mum didn’t aborted u.’


Troubled teen: Tulisa ran with a girl gang and smoked weed - until a bad experience encouraged her to give it up


Tulisa also endured severe bullying at school, where she was set upon repeatedly, and on one occasion had a bottle smashed over her head.

She attempted suicide aged 14 by swallowing painkillers. Three years later, she slashed her wrists.

By then, she was smoking marijuana and drinking heavily. When she was 14, she started having heart palpitations because of her drug use.

One day she blacked out. ‘I woke up in an ambulance and never smoked weed again,’ she said.



Award winner: Tulisa at the Brit Awards 2010 Shortlist Announcement


Perhaps that’s why she said on television recently: ‘I don’t condone drugs. I have never taken them and I never will.’ It was a curious declaration given her previous confessions.

Shalit said: ‘She is the sensible matriarch. She is definitely the clean-living one.’

That’s probably true – though, of course, it’s all relative. Whether Tulisa can control her wilder outbursts enough to front a family show like X Factor is another matter altogether.


source: dailymail

Let the new X Factor fashion face off begin as Kelly Rowland trounces Tulisa Contostavlos with tiny skirt and crop top

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Style wars: Kelly Rowland (left) shows off her toned figure in a yellow crop top and black skirt, while Tulisa Contostavlos covers up in a black jumpsuit as they arrive at the Birmingham


The new X Factor judging line-up was unveiled for the first time today as Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland, Tulisa Contostavlos joined original judge Louis Walsh in Birmingham.

It already looks like there could be an all-new fashion war with former Destiny's Child singer Rowland, 30, and Tulisa, 22, going head-to-head to be the most stylish.

And it appears the American singer may have already won the first round by managing to make her younger co-host's jumpsuit look frumpy in comparison to her black mini skirt and yellow crop top.


Towering: Rowland opted for Christian Louboutin hidden platform 6 1/2 inch heels, while Tulisa wore red platform sandals


Both women opted for towering heels - with Tulisa in red platform sandals and Kelly in a pair of black Christian Louboutins concealed platform courts with a tottering 6 1/2 inch heel.

All of the judges are staying at the boutique Hotel Du Vin - where Dannii Minogue, Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell have stayed in a previous years.


The hunt for new talent is on: New judge Gary Barlow (left) joins the show's only original judge Louis Walsh on the red carpet


The first auditions at the LG Arena comes just two days after ITV officially announced the line-up following months of speculation.

Over the weekend, it was thought Mrs Cole may return to the panel after being fired from X Factor USA, but her talent show judging career appears to be on hold, for now at least.


Behind the scenes: Olly Murs and Caroline Flack will present the ITV2 spin-off show The Xtra Factor


A source told the Mail earlier this week: 'That’s it. Cheryl will not be returning to the British X Factor.

'People have been trying to speak to her and persuade her this would be a good idea, but she’s been uncontactable.

‘She hasn’t returned phone calls. And you can’t exactly negotiate with someone who won’t even speak to you.’

Announcing the new line-up, Simon Cowell enthused: 'These four are totally up for it, each of them bring a different attitude. They have had a ton of hits between them and they are all committed to finding a star. I have a feeling Louis and Tulisa will have slightly different points of view as to what the next star should look and sound like!'


Exciting new venture: Kelly and Tulisa have both been staying at the Hotel Du Vin - where previous X Factor judges Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Simon Cowell used to sleep


ITV’s Director of Television, Peter Fincham, meanwhile said in the statement: 'As multi-million selling artists, songwriters and pop masterminds, Gary, Tulisa, Kelly and Louis have huge breadth of appeal with our audience and the ability to engage both the UK’s next generation of music talent as well as ITV’s viewers.'

Also unveiled today were new Xtra Factor hosts Caroline Flack and Olly Murs, who are replacing Konnie Huq on the ITV2 spin-off show.

source: dailymail

Let the new X Factor fashion face off begin as Kelly Rowland trounces Tulisa Contostavlos with tiny skirt and crop top

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Style wars: Kelly Rowland (left) shows off her toned figure in a yellow crop top and black skirt, while Tulisa Contostavlos covers up in a black jumpsuit as they arrive at the Birmingham


The new X Factor judging line-up was unveiled for the first time today as Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland, Tulisa Contostavlos joined original judge Louis Walsh in Birmingham.

It already looks like there could be an all-new fashion war with former Destiny's Child singer Rowland, 30, and Tulisa, 22, going head-to-head to be the most stylish.

And it appears the American singer may have already won the first round by managing to make her younger co-host's jumpsuit look frumpy in comparison to her black mini skirt and yellow crop top.


Towering: Rowland opted for Christian Louboutin hidden platform 6 1/2 inch heels, while Tulisa wore red platform sandals


Both women opted for towering heels - with Tulisa in red platform sandals and Kelly in a pair of black Christian Louboutins concealed platform courts with a tottering 6 1/2 inch heel.

All of the judges are staying at the boutique Hotel Du Vin - where Dannii Minogue, Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell have stayed in a previous years.


The hunt for new talent is on: New judge Gary Barlow (left) joins the show's only original judge Louis Walsh on the red carpet


The first auditions at the LG Arena comes just two days after ITV officially announced the line-up following months of speculation.

Over the weekend, it was thought Mrs Cole may return to the panel after being fired from X Factor USA, but her talent show judging career appears to be on hold, for now at least.


Behind the scenes: Olly Murs and Caroline Flack will present the ITV2 spin-off show The Xtra Factor


A source told the Mail earlier this week: 'That’s it. Cheryl will not be returning to the British X Factor.

'People have been trying to speak to her and persuade her this would be a good idea, but she’s been uncontactable.

‘She hasn’t returned phone calls. And you can’t exactly negotiate with someone who won’t even speak to you.’

Announcing the new line-up, Simon Cowell enthused: 'These four are totally up for it, each of them bring a different attitude. They have had a ton of hits between them and they are all committed to finding a star. I have a feeling Louis and Tulisa will have slightly different points of view as to what the next star should look and sound like!'


Exciting new venture: Kelly and Tulisa have both been staying at the Hotel Du Vin - where previous X Factor judges Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Simon Cowell used to sleep


ITV’s Director of Television, Peter Fincham, meanwhile said in the statement: 'As multi-million selling artists, songwriters and pop masterminds, Gary, Tulisa, Kelly and Louis have huge breadth of appeal with our audience and the ability to engage both the UK’s next generation of music talent as well as ITV’s viewers.'

Also unveiled today were new Xtra Factor hosts Caroline Flack and Olly Murs, who are replacing Konnie Huq on the ITV2 spin-off show.

source: dailymail

Flying high: Jetpack invention reaches 5,000ft as futuristic transport gets ever-closer to commercial use

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Previous test: The Martin Jetpack has already completed a seven-minute test flight, which saw it climb to an altitude of 100ft


Travelling by jetpack used to be something only seen in science fiction.

But the first commercial suit could soon be on sale following another successful step on the flight towards production.

Over the weekend, a team of New Zealand inventors behind the Martin rocketman suit conducted a test flight that saw them soar to 5,000 feet.


Flying high: The jetpack soars above the New Zealand countryside as it reached heights of 5,000 feet during its ten minute test flight


In the test, carried out over the Canterbury region of the country, a dummy took the place of a passenger as it was flown by remote control from a helicopter.

And in another first, the suit then descended to 2,000 feet before deploying a parachute and landing, albeit with rather a large bump.

The flight lasted around ten minutes, making it the longest ever recorded.


On the way down: The jetpack is the first to deploy a parachute to help it land - even if on this occasion it was a bumpy one


The successful test brings the reality of flight by jetpack another step closer after 40 years of development by inventor Glenn Martin.

Mr Martin has spent NZ$12million on the venture, but now hopes to bring in more investment and possibly even start mass production.

This weekend's flight follows on from a test which took place in April that saw the invention reach 100ft and fly for seven minutes.


Take off: With a dummy as a pilot, the jetpack, which was flown by radio control from a helicopter, lifts off for its journey


The engine, fuel tank and pilot are positioned between and below the lift-fans to lower the centre of gravity and prevent the machine turning upside down.

While the tests are a huge advancement in bringing the device to the shelves, it is still unclear how aviation authorities will treat the jetpack.

Weighing just 250lbs, users in many European countries, including Britain, should not need to be licensed. However, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is still considering an official response.

Either way, Martin Aircraft Company said any attempt to fly the jetpack without professional instruction would be ‘extremely foolhardy’.

The company will require all owners to undertake an approved training programme before flying the aircraft with personal users taking delivery in around 18 months.


Sean Connery uses a Belt Rocket Belt jetpack in the 1965 James Bond film Thunderball. It could carry a man over 30ft-high obstacles and reached speeds of up to 10mph but had a limited flying time of just 20-30 seconds and huge fuel consumption


Martin Jetpack 5000ft flight - highlights


source: dailymail