Blaine has health checks after 44-day starvation

The illusionist David Blaine has undergone a series of tests to determine whether he suffered any lasting physical damage from his 44-day starvation stunt.

The illusionist David Blaine has undergone a series of tests to determine whether he suffered any lasting physical damage from his 44-day starvation stunt.

The American had blood tests and a cardiogram yesterday at the London hospital to which he was taken on Sunday evening after completing his fast.

Blaine's team revealed that he suffered dizziness and temporary problems with his vision in the past week. He also experienced shooting pains, abdominal discomfort, nausea and irregular heartbeats.

Blaine's spokesman said the tests would establish whether the stunt had permanently damaged his organs. The magician will gradually build up his strength with mineral supplements.

The spokesman said that reintroduction to solids must be managed carefully to avoidserious problems, including sudden death from "re-feeding syndrome".

Blaine's advisers say he could take as long as six months to recover his muscle strength and return to fitness. They dismissed suggestions that Blaine kept himself alive by having dissolved nutrients added to his water supply, saying that the water was pure. Sky One, which filmed the event, said 2.5 million viewers tuned in for the finale on Sunday night.