A FORMER street warden and much-loved fundraiser will perform dangerous balancing acts in front of a television audience.

Frank Charles will travel to Manchester on Friday to take part in a final audition for ITV’ Britain’s Got Talent, in front of judges Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden.

He will attempt to balance a motorbike on his chin and perform a trick known as the “Sword of Death”, which involves balancing a two-foot sword on his tongue.

The former postman, of Chester Road, Wanstead, said: "I don't do tricks or illusions, this is real and obviously if it goes wrong it will be dangerous. "This is all about just enjoying the day, I am excited about it.

"I will perform to an upbeat disco song, it is really important to get the crowd clapping along so they get into it.

It is not the first time Mr Charles, who regularly raises money for local charities and Whipps Cross University Hospital, has performed stunts on television.

He has previously appeared on the children's BBC show Dick and Dom in Da Bungalow.

Mr Charles has been a familiar figure to Waltham Forest residents with his work for the council street warden service, which was disbanded last summer.

The 46-year-old will begin a new job working at Sybourn Children Centre in Leyton next month. Mr Charles is the latest in a line of Waltham Forest figures to appear on reality or talent shows in recent years.

Daniel Evans, whose family founded Leytonstone taxi company Goldline, reached the X Factor live final in 2008.

Former Highams Park school pupil Austin Drage also appeared in the latter stages of the programme in the same year.

Big Brother in 2007 brought Leytonstone anti-war campaigner Carole Vincent to wider public attention.

Other Waltham Forest television stars include Snakey Sue, who appeared on Britain's Got Talent, and more recently, Karen O'Neil, of Chingford, who appeared on Dragon's Den.

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