The World's Finest Fire-Breather (Retired)

Famous throughout his own world, Captain Franko is arguably the most talented Fire-Breather in the history of flammable liquids. In his own opinion anyway.

I have performed in seven major European cities, and had I not retired from fire-breathing your doorstep could've been next !

Fire breathing goes back to the origins of spit-able fuels ! To find out how I got into it, check out my Biography. In countless films set in medieval times, you'll see the stock Fire-eater along with the other jesters, and I used to breath fire for the crowds every hallowe'en!

The fuel I used is a specialist product, as most household items (meths, spirits and the like.) are VERY bad for your health. They cause chemical burns to your face mouth and lips, wreck your lungs and cause impotence. So I've been told. So please, 'Don't try this at home!'

See what it's all about !

The early days.

One afternoon sometime in the early '70's, P.C. Crisp called to our house. A couple of little boys had been playing with matches at the dump. Of course, being only 5, it wasn't my fault I must of been led astray by my brother. Old bill aside, that was the beginning of a fascination with fire that has lasted throughout my life. As I got older I graduated via small hay fires, fireworks and setting myself on fire with meths to arrive at...

The real thing.

When I went to Paris in 1989, it wasn't long before I found myself homeless and hungry. Eventually I hit upon the idea of performing to make a living. It was life or death. After a rocky start, I had built up a healthy show. Although I taught myself to juggle, fire-breathing was still the backbone of the show. Well, that and my alter ego, Captain Franko.

How come you don't get burnt ?

The top 2 questions I'm asked are: What fuel did you use ? and Why didn't you get burnt ? I've already answered the first, and for the second, I don't know. Have you seen the film "Lawrence Of Arabia"? If so, you may remember T.E.lawrence saying that it does hurt, you just don't mind. That's fairly close to how it works. Just take it a step further and don't let it hurt in the first place.

When I started out, I burned myself a few times. On one occasion, due to lack of concentration I spilled a mix of fuels all over my neck and chest. As I duly caught fire, and screamed while putting myself out, the entire crowd disappeared. Nice. Now the only burns I get are chemical burns from cheap fuel. Well, that and a few little mishaps !

IMPORTANT: Fire-Breathing is very dangerous (not just burns- the fuel is carcinogenic), and will cause severe damage to your health (your lungs in particular). I neither encourage nor recommend it to anyone - quite the opposite: DON'T DO IT. IT'LL KILL YOU.