Liz Nicholls meets Mike and Christine Belcher who have made balloon sculpting cool... even among the Hollywood A-List

At an unassuming address tucked into a pleasant warren of homes just off Twelve Acre Drive in Abingdon live Mike and Christine Belcher.

From the outside there are few hints, but their house is a fun factory that could give Pat Sharpe a run for his money.

Because, after a quick change of outfit, the dynamic duo reappear as... Twistopher and Twistina.

The couple, married for 32 years, travel the country – and the world – creating balloon sculptures, family entertainment, seaside Punch and Judy shows, exquisite vintage music box shows to keep under-fives enthralled, barrel organ tunes and magic. And it’s more than just a job to them – it’s a calling.

“When you see children’s faces light up, it’s so rewarding,” says Twistina, “they’re so responsive.” Twistopher adds: “Sometimes we’ll be so busy making something it’ll be the early hours before we’ve noticed the time – it’s like a drug!”

Twistina, AKA the Amazing Balloon Lady, asks requests from her young crowd.

“A burger! A butterfly! A bunny!” are the responses that come bouncing straight back.

And, not the least bit fazed, Twistina is picking out latex tubes from her kaleidoscopic bumbag kit and pumping, squeaking, twisting, knotting and snipping balloons into frankly mindblowing creations within minutes, while chatting.

“We’ve rarely had a request we haven’t been able to do,” laughs Twistina. “In fact, we welcome them: the odder the better! Most popular with children are the characters like Buzz Lightyear, Spiderman and Hello Kitty – I have to watch cartoons to keep up with trends — but we do all sorts, from Olly the Ox for football fans, bouquets that light up and great themed hen parties.”

As if I could miss it, Twistina points to the giant crayfish in the corner – a commissioned promo for IKEA. Twistina has a string of accolades under her multicoloured belt. She was named world champion at the Millennium Jam in Belgium and won first prize at the NEC balloon convention by creating a jaw-droppingly intricate peacock on top of a fence that took 24 hours straight. Recently Twistina appeared on This Morning and The One Show with Billy Zane. Twistopher was in the first series of Downton Abbey, the couple entertained at the 750th Balliol College Ball and Twistina created inflatable versions of Elle Macpherson’s two dogs. As you do.

So what, I ask, attracted them to balloons in the first place? “Well, all children love balloons – they’re so bright and fun,” says Twistina. “As a child, I would see balloons on strings at St Giles Fair and I always wanted one, but was never allowed... I think I’m making up for that now!”

Before studying at “ballooniversity” Christine honed her creative skills whipping up ornate cakes for Berry’s Bakery in Headington, and after that shut, running her own cake business Iced Delights for 19 years.

Mike’s pre-Twistopher career was distinctly less creative, working in Oxford City Council’s accounts department until taking early retirement in 2009. But now, he is the first to admit that the world of entertaining is his obsession. He loves trawling the internet for quirky toys and games and his collection of music boxes is a source of whimsical joy, as are his original Pelham puppets and Punch and Judy. However, he is far from precious about children enjoying the curiosities as he’s keen to see them in use.

“We have a lot to learn from the Americans, in some ways,” says Twistopher. “They go for parties, entertainment and balloons in a big way! But we’re here to spread the fun and show how it can be done.”

n Twistopher and Twistina will be creating balloon art at Didcot Railway Centre on October 5&6, which is a Thomas The Tank Weekend. You can also catch them there every Saturday and Sunday from Saturday, November 30, to Sunday, December 22. Twistina appears at the opening of Great Western Park, Sir Frank Williams Avenue, Didcot, this Saturday.

LIVE To find out more about Twistopher and Twistina see twistopher.co.uk and twistina.co.uk or call 01235 530426 or 07816 108026