Paul Archer left his Cheshire home at the age of 16 determined to make his name as a circus performer.

Thirty-three years later, he has returned to Knutsford with a circus career behind him and as director of one of the world’s most famous troupes, the Moscow State Circus.

It has been a long and varied journey for Mr Archer, but he says it started as a child on parkland in his former home town.

“The first time I ever saw a circus was on the Knutsford Heath when I was about six years old.

“It was sheer excitement, I’d discovered the circus.

“I was captured by the complete spectacle of it and the magic; the fact that it appeared overnight, held performances and then was gone again, with just a bit of sawdust on the ground in memory of it.”

That spectacle enthralled him to such an extent that he decided that when he grew up, he would join a circus.

Bedroom practice

He says he soon started to teach himself to juggle, a talent which would go on to help him secure his place in the ring.

Mr Archer performed all over the UK and abroad as a circus juggler

“I was fascinated by all aspects of the circus, but something I could take up readily was juggling.

“I picked up some juggling balls and started practising in my bedroom.

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