Blaine struggles as he enters final stretch of starvation stunt

DAVID BLAINE — shaman to some, showman to others — is preparing to bring his biggest challenge to an end.

The American magician is approaching tomorrow's end to a 44-day fast-come-vigil in a dangling plastic box, hungrier, hairier and, he says, wiser, than when he went in.

Blaine was yesterday battling with palpitations and breathing difficulties as he entered the final stretch of his starvation stunt.