Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Odditorium in the US had to cancel a planned anti-smoking campaign when its star attraction admitted to taking up the habit.

Richie 'The Human Ashtray' Magic was going to demonstrate how disgusting the habit is by putting out 200 cigarettes on his pain-proof tongue.

However the event had to be cancelled when the sideshow performer confessed he is actually a smoker.

Richie hopes to overcome his addiction so he can show children the dangers of smoking with a clear conscience.

He said: "After opening my mouth and showing them a blackened, burned tongue filled with ash it sends the message."