A SOMERSET man who ran away to join the circus as a teenager tells why he is prepared to risk his life to perform.

Chris Bullzini, from Evercreech, one of Britain's top high wire artists, features in a gripping film in the BBC documentary series Our Lives.

He explains just how it feels to walk the wire with no safety net.

After joining the circus, Chris turned his love of street performance into a hugely successful career resulting in a high demand for him right across the world.

Since the summer of 2019, BBC cameras have followed Chris as he faces what could be his greatest ever challenge.

The documentary takes viewers up on the wire as he stages an astounding 230-metre length tightrope walk, 20 metres high over Norwich city centre.

But as the pandemic hits, his future as a high wire performer hangs in the balance as all his acts are cancelled.

With a daughter to raise, bills to pay and his wire walking career at stake, Chris is determined to keep pushing the limits and find new ways to perform, as cameras follow his journey right through to 2021.

With his life and livelihood literally up in the air, walking the tight rope high above towns and cities with no safety net or harness makes him feel alive, but with no crowds allowed to see him – could this be a challenge too far?

Chris says: “It’s so real and you’re so alive when you’re up there.

"I spend all of my time training not to die.

“I like to keep death in my mind. The more that you are aware that you’re going die, the better you live.”

The documentary reveals what it takes to be a high wire walker, risking life and limb for the ultimate performance art.

Our Lives - Life On The High Wire directed by Dave Lowder and produced by Eye Film and TV for BBC One airs on Wednesday, August 11, at 7.30pm.