Armless pianist wins China's Got Talent Published duration 11 October 2010

media caption Liu Wei received a standing ovation for his performance

A piano player who has no arms and plays the instrument with his toes has won the nationally televised China's Got Talent competition.

Liu Wei, who lost his arms in an accident at the age of 10, won the contest with his performance of You're Beautiful, originally by James Blunt.

He told the judges: "At least I have a pair of perfect legs."

The 23-year-old Beijing-born musician has been invited to perform with Taiwanese pop star Jolin Tsai.

He also has the chance to perform in Las Vegas for three months and a possible recording contract, Chinese media reported.

Second place in the competition went to seven-year-old stand-up comedian Zhang Fengxi, and third to 23-year-old singer Cai Xiuqing.

Mr Liu's arms were amputated after he received an electric shock while playing hide-and-seek as a child. He taught himself to play the piano at the age of 18.

The China's Got Talent final in Shanghai featured performances by contestants from other countries, including the 2009 British winners, dance troupe Diversity and America's Got Talent finalists from the same year, Recycled Percussion.

The show is part of the worldwide talent show franchise, owned by British music producer Simon Cowell.

It debuted in China in May and director Jin Lei told the Shanghai Daily a second series would be recorded next year.