The wonder of Chris

CHRIS Connor as Elvis Presley

EIGHT years ago, Royton lad Chris Connor was working on a building site.

However, after only first being urged by his mates to sing an Elvis Presley track at a karaoke night in a Grotton pub back in 2008, Chris is now officially the world's best impersonator and he's now a big mover and shaker in the thrilling world of show business.

It's been an incredible rise for the devoted Elvis fanatic, but Chris has put the graft in.

He works hard on preparation for his popular shows with his backing band, the Steels, and he's been duly rewarded.

Chris plays in front of audiences of thousands as he's toured Europe, Australia, the Middle East, Canada, and of course, America.

Chris, voted by the worldwide official fan poll as the world's best Elvis performer, said: "You've got to be good to be accepted by Elvis fans, so the more effort I put in copying his mannerisms and things like that, the more people pick up on it.

"The trick is to make it look natural - don't make it look forced.

"I think that's where my strength was, and now people are calling from all over the world, which is amazing.

"I would never have thought in a million years I'd be where I am now."

Despite his regular globe-trotting, Chris does enjoy spending as much time as possible in his home town, and he's particularly looking forward to bringing his 'World Famous Elvis Show' to the nearby Bowlers Exhibition Centre on Saturday, July 23.

"It's the first time we've brought this particular show to the North-West," said Chris.

"We'll have a huge 15-piece band, big screens and things like that, but it is a bit different in that we've got the best Peter Kay tribute act in the UK on with us too.

"I've seen Lee Lard, he's hilarious, he just cracks me up.

"They are great at Bowlers.

"They don't just do the two hour sets, they always put on a full night's show.

"As well as the Elvis show and Lee, there's also Ricky Aron's award-winning rock n roll show.

"He does Cliff Richard, Elvis, Shakin Stevens - he does all the top rock n roll stuff.

"We're back in the UK for a few months, then in October we're going to Canada to do a two-week tour."

Chris, who now lives in south Manchester, is clearly loving every minute of his music career, rekindling cherished memories of the legendary Elvis for legions of adoring fans.

However, he doesn't envisage carrying on for as long as the original 'King' might have done, had he not passed away so prematurely at the age of 42 in 1977.

Chris, whose show largely focuses on Elvis's career between the late 1960s and early 70s, added: "As long as I can still sing, move, as long as I still look alright as Elvis, I'll keep going.

"I do know I don't want to be doing this when I'm 60 or 70 say.

"I don't think it would look right by then.

"You never know, in 12 months time I might suddenly age, but I don't think so.

"As long as I can still do a good job, I'll keep going."

Tickets for the Bowlers Arena show on Saturday, July 23, are available by calling the box office number - 0161 876 0007 - or by logging on to: www.bowlersexhibitioncentre.skiddletickets.com