I'm starving, says Blaine (original) (raw)

David Blaine says his bizarre attempt to last 44 days in a glass box dangling above the Thames is starting to take its toll. As record crowds turned up to witness the controversial stunt, Blaine revealed he had entered the first stage of starvation as he ended his second week deprived of food.

'I have entered starvation mode, low energy ... really low energy and a freak taste in my mouth,' he said. 'I believe this is starvation. I read it could happen after two weeks. I didn't believe it, but I guess it does - I am a third of the way through.'

The suffering showman became one of London's hottest attractions yesterday when more than 10,000 people came to watch him. In a change of mood, there was a massive show of support, with banners offering encouragement covering the fencing around the box. Crowds were chanting his name.

Tom Bramlett, Blaine's project designer, said it was one of the busiest days they had seen and brought the total number of visitors to 40,000 so far. 'In the first few days people came who really didn't understand, but now the support is incredible. The people have been great. David doesn't recognise limitations - he wants to go right to the edge and wants to do it in public to show how real it is.'

Among the crowd who cheered every time Blaine moved were Janie Pamment and her nine-year-old daughter, Lydia, who had travelled from Brighton to see him. 'He's brilliant and this is an amazing challenge,' Janie said. 'It is out of order to throw stuff at him.'

Blaine's girlfriend, model Manon von Gerkan, said: 'He has fasted for two weeks before, but never this long. We know he will do it.'