Eight-year-old Chickenley pupil is top class clown

The Chickenley Community School pupil can juggle, drive a miniature car and even ride a unicycle. And now he has been crowned Best Junior Clown.

Owen, who goes by the name Oggy when he is performing, picked up the title at the recent Clown International convention.

His father, Ian Radforth, who won the accolade himself 20 years ago, said: “We started as junior clowns and it is great to see my son following in my footsteps.

“He loves it and has been practising the unicycle really hard so he could use it in his routine.

“We have been doing our own show full-time for about 10 years now and have been all over England and abroad.

“I would love it if he became a ful- time clown as well.”

Mr Radforth, 35, of Ossett has been touring the world with his brother Gavin, 32, as The Rapide Brothers.

The duo, who go by the names Izzo and Malteser, were also successful at the recent awards at Butlins in Bognor Regis, and have been given the title of Best Auguste Clowns of 2012.

The term refers to the more familiar look of a clown with red nose, hat, big feet and make-up.