SHEFFIELD Divorcing couples face many problems, but few have those of Anton Popazov. He is obliged to allow his estranged wife to fire a crossbow at his head in a William Tell stunt every day.

Anton and his wife, Nataliya, above, are members of the Moscow State Circus and have been married for 20 years. Rows have led to a split but they are under contract for another year and must continue to perform their death-defying stunt. The climax involves Nataliya shooting an apple off Anton’s head with a crossbow. “I still trust her because Nataliya is very professional,” Anton said. “It’s not every man’s cup of tea to have his ex-partner firing arrows at him every day, but the show must go on.”

All eyes will be on the Popazovs as Anton puts his life in Nataliya’s hands during the circus’s current run in Sheffield.

Paul Archer, the circus manager, said: “The relationship has just run its course, but they have to continue performing. It brings a little more tension to the act, to say the least.” .”

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