Former Blue Peter presenter Joel Mawhinney, known professionally as Joel M, impressed judges on America's Got Talent with a magic trick that saw him appear to smash prized possessions belonging to Mel B, Sofía Vergara and Howie Mandel before revealing they were unharmed. The Bangor, County Down, magician received three yes votes to progress in the competition, marking a strong start to his post-Blue Peter career as he seeks to re-establish himself as a magician.

Mawhinney took a gift Mel B received from her fellow Spice Girls, a framed photo of Vergara's dog, and Mandel's phone, appearing to destroy them with a hammer before showing they had reappeared in unexpected places, including inside a locked box and hidden in a red buzzer. Mel B and Vergara both voted yes, while Mandel said the act was "too slow"; judge Simon Cowell also gave his approval, citing the audience's love of magic. Mawhinney, who left Blue Peter in July after more than three and a half years as its 41st presenter, said producers had invited him to audition since 2020 but he had always felt it was too risky, only deciding to "go for it" after departing the children's show.