ITV Britain's Got Talent act leaves viewers terrified as he fails to beat clock in 'water torture'

A Britain's Got Talent act left the audience and judges terrified as he ran out of time in a 'water torture' challenge. Italian escapologist Andrew Basso had viewers on the edge of their seats with a close call during his death defying act.

He was suspended upside down under water in a tank and had to escape with a paperclip. Not only did he have to free himself Andrew had to turn his body the correct round to escape.

"This is the act that Harry Houdini said was the most dangerous and difficult," he introduced. "Being upside down throws the senses and the blood rushes to the head."

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Explaining that he had to get out of the tank within two minutes he said: "Any longer and I may not come out alive. I'm risking my life."

But as the clock reached two minutes, which Ant and Dec called 'The Danger Zone', the audience and judges Simon Cowell, David Walliams, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon started to worry. One audience member said: "I don't even think I can watch this."

At two minutes and 36 seconds the music went off and worried host Declan Donnelly said: "He's run out of music." Alesha asked: "Is this part of the act?" as Andrew appeared to struggle. And a member of the audience pointed out that he appeared to be panicking.

Andrew finally made it out unscathed at three minutes and three seconds as he gasped for air. Simon asked: "Why would you want to do that?" And Andrew answered: "I feel more alive right now."

He was told that the judges' 'hearts were in their mouths' with his act. "You're a great showman" said David. "Congratulations for getting out alive," said Amanda.

@c3roline asked: "is he drowning?" And