David Straitjacket
Encyclopedia
David Straitjacket is a British
escape artist most notable for his television appearances, and world record attempts.
, but grew up in nearby Ashton-under-Lyne
, and began performing in the circus as a juggler at the age of 16. Following that he founded his own circus in which he performed as an acrobat, tightrope walker and trapeze artist. In 1999 he returned to his first love of escapology and sideshow performance, developing his own daredevil escapology style, for which he is now well known; this both amongst other escapologists, and by the public as a whole. He is the featured artist in this year's Ripleys Believe It Or Not book, and is currently filming his own one hour television special. He is also notable as one of the few sword swallowers
in the world. The current number of real life sword swallowers is estimated to be around 75.
He recently appeared on the hit British television series The New Paul O'Grady Show where he set a new Guinness world record. He also trained TV personalities Ant & Dec
in the art of rope escapes, and worked as a technical advisor for the reality TV show Big Brother 7. He is currently appearing as a teacher in the CBBC reality TV show, The Sorcerers Apprentice. His appearance in this show broadcasts on 25 October 2009.
David Straitjacket is a Vegan, and in 2008 was shortlisted for the 'Best Vegan Entertainer' award.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
escape artist most notable for his television appearances, and world record attempts.
Biography & History
He was born in Oldham, Greater ManchesterGreater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
, but grew up in nearby Ashton-under-Lyne
Ashton-under-Lyne
Ashton-under-Lyne is a market town in the Metropolitan Borough of Tameside, Greater Manchester, England. Historically a part of Lancashire, it lies on the north bank of the River Tame, on undulating land at the foothills of the Pennines...
, and began performing in the circus as a juggler at the age of 16. Following that he founded his own circus in which he performed as an acrobat, tightrope walker and trapeze artist. In 1999 he returned to his first love of escapology and sideshow performance, developing his own daredevil escapology style, for which he is now well known; this both amongst other escapologists, and by the public as a whole. He is the featured artist in this year's Ripleys Believe It Or Not book, and is currently filming his own one hour television special. He is also notable as one of the few sword swallowers
Sword swallowing
Sword swallowing is an ancient performance art in which the performer passes a sword through the mouth and down the esophagus towards the stomach...
in the world. The current number of real life sword swallowers is estimated to be around 75.
He recently appeared on the hit British television series The New Paul O'Grady Show where he set a new Guinness world record. He also trained TV personalities Ant & Dec
Ant & Dec
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly , known collectively as Ant & Dec, are an English comedy and TV presenting duo from Newcastle upon Tyne, England...
in the art of rope escapes, and worked as a technical advisor for the reality TV show Big Brother 7. He is currently appearing as a teacher in the CBBC reality TV show, The Sorcerers Apprentice. His appearance in this show broadcasts on 25 October 2009.
David Straitjacket is a Vegan, and in 2008 was shortlisted for the 'Best Vegan Entertainer' award.
World Record Achievements
- World's Fastest Straitjacket Escape
- World's Fastest Underwater Handcuff Escape
- World's Fastest Handcuff Escape
- World's Fastest Straitjacket Escape Whilst Balanced On Stilts
- World's Fastest Suspended Straitjacket & Chains Escape
- Having The Heaviest Person Stand On His Chest, While Lying On Broken Glass