![This image is strictly embargoed until 22.15 Saturday 14th September 2019 From Syco / Thames Britain's Got Talent: The Champions: Ep3 on ITV Pictured: Richard Jones. This photograph is (C) Syco/Thames and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms For further information please contact: james.hilder@itv.com / 0207 157 3052](http://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/PRI_85616265.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=1024)
The 28-year-old magician, who won in 2016, returned to The Champions last week with a routine that included moving stories about the armed forces.
But before performing the thought of how far he had come made it difficult to focus.
Richard’s pal and fellow illusionist Maddox Dixon, who was on Britain’s Got Talent last year, revealed the emotional off stage moment to Metro.co.uk: ‘The performance was just electric and emotional all in one go.
‘He nearly couldn’t go on stage because he was so emotional at the realisation of how much work and how many people had helped him get to that point.
‘He didn’t feel like he could go on stage because he felt so emotional about it.’
Maddox joked: ‘I didn’t realise he was such as soppy character, it made me laugh hearing him say that. But he’s a great bloke, and a good friend.’
However the illusionist didn’t appear on The Champions himself, and while he wouldn’t say if he had been asked to go on, he did confess he wouldn’t have been able to make it work.
He told us: ‘I wouldn’t have aligned if I had appeared on the show. I was just very happy to see other magicians flying the flag and doing so well.’
Maddox has teamed up with Highland Spring for a campaign that has seen him work his magic on members of the public to give them a ‘lift’.
Speaking about the project, he teased: ‘September is a real bluesy month for the general population. We’re all back to work. Two-thirds of Brits need that pick me up.
‘The context is going in as a fairly anonymous performer and capturing people by getting them to visualise an uplifting moment. Changing that mindset so they feel good and happy, and getting them to perform something that’s amazing.
‘To be able to do that for such an amazing positive company, I feel very grateful.’
Maddox Dixon performed a series of uplifting illusions for members of the public in Bankside, London, as part of a #Remarkabubble campaign by Highland Spring Sparkling water.
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