Blaine shunned by record book

Illusionist David Blaine has today been rejected by the Guinness Book of Records for his forthcoming death-defying feat.

The magician will tomorrow begin a 44-day stint of isolation without food and suspended in a clear plastic box.

But compilers of the book say they would not

actively endorse fasting records - and the size of his temporary home is not even as small as current record holders.

They say Blaine's previous stunts are left trailing by other record titles.

Guinness World Records chiefs say they have been contacted by the United States magician asking for his feats to be recognised.

But they say his efforts are not good enough to

make it on to their pages, including his new challenge in which his only nourishment for six weeks will be water.

Blaine is to live in a clear 7ft x 7ft x 3ft box without any distractions or food while dangling over the river Thames in London.

But Guinness's keeper of records Stewart Newport said today: "We have never encouraged actively claims for the longest time to voluntarily go without solid food for very clear and obvious reasons.

"If you beat the 'record' and then die is it a successful attempt?" he asked.

"We have from a reportage standpoint noted in past books various political, medical and criminal 'hunger strikes' - and all were for durations far in excess of 44 days."

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