Children's entertainer Graeme Mathews hopes to go all the way in Britain’s Got Talent after getting through the audition stage.

Speaking exclusively to the Standard, he admits waiting nervously in the wings of the London Palladium, hopeful of four ‘yeses’ from the famous BGT judges.

The 34-year-old comedian, from South Woodham Ferrers, said the whole experience was a “blur” as he received a standing ovation.

Graeme said: “It was a great experience like no other.

“I did get very nervous when I got on stage because the judges are four icons, especially Simon Cowell.

“Getting a standing ovation at the London Palladium was amazing.

“As a variety performer, having people clapping and cheering for me was incredible.”

He had not filled the audience with confidence when he asked Amanda Holden “Do I just start then?” ahead of his act.

The camera cut to a pair who were already sceptical of the 34-year-old leopard print-wearing magician.

He invited ‘glamorous assistant’ Amanda on to the stage, while fellow judges Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams looked on.

Graeme said Amanda was “absolutely great” when she joined him on stage, following all his directions.

Graeme warmed up the audience with a series of comedy card and magic tricks.

The finale came when he got Amanda to turn a cup of water on to her head – only to reveal the liquid had “magically” disappeared.

The amazed audience roared its delight.

Graeme said: “You can genuinely see fear in Amanda’s face before she turned the cup over.

“The thing with the cards however was just something my strange brain had thought of before.

“I had tried it at a performance a few weeks before and it got a laugh, so I thought I would try it.

“When I searched through the cards, I was so nervous I just did not know which one Amanda had picked.”

Graeme earns his money as the entertainer Bam Bam, performing across Essex and the surrounding counties.

He also performs as a comedian, and runs a children’s entertainment business with a friend.

He harbours dreams of hosting his own gameshow in the future, citing his biggest influence as long-time Strike It Lucky presenter Michael Barrymore.

Graeme said: “It is my all-time dream.

“I have lots of ideas – I can imagine hosting a gameshow, making people laugh and getting the best of the contestants.”

He has become something a local celebrity in South Woodham Ferrers, and is thrilled his performance captured the hearts of viewers across the country.

He brought a smile to the faces of everyone in the Palladium, with his nerves on the night bringing even more laughs.

Graeme admits he never expected to sail through the first round with a clean sweep of yeses.

But now he is through to the next round, he hopes he can go the whole way.

He said: “I’m being recognised more. People come over to say hello to me and wave at me. The support I have had from the community has been amazing.

“Entertainment is all I know. I have done other jobs, but never for long, and I have always gone back to doing this.

“I would absolutely love to get to the final – I just want to make more and more people laugh.

“Now I hope to get to the semi-finals.

“Once that’s done, maybe I can go all the way.”