Going to see a tribute act or impersonator always makes for a fun evening out, with much loved songs, heaps of nostalgia and normally a shed load of rhinestones.

There are many artists in Kent who make a living performing as someone else, whether that be at international festivals or your local golf club. With the lockdown putting a halt to all concerts, KentOnline spoke to four tribute acts about staggering costume bills, meeting their idols and how they're keeping busy.

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Neil Duncan

Neil Duncan's neighbours are used to seeing his 11 bejewelled and pristine jumpsuits hanging out on the washing line to dry.

After 30 years in the police, the former inspector from Whitstable has spent 17 years receiving rave reviews as an Elvis impersonator.

Never a keen singer as a child, Neil discovered his talent later in life, when he took part in a charity evening arranged by Kent Police and he sung some of the King of Rock's best tunes.

For eight years Neil honed his craft while working in the police, travelling to London every Friday to perform at The Jail House Rock restaurant, where he learnt to manage an audience.

In 2005 he was voted Best Vegas Elvis in a European contest and Best Elvis in The UK in a contest run by Selfridges.

The grandfather-of-three has seen many version of The Kings over the years, some good, some not so good.

"Some take it a little bit too seriously. I do the songs properly and then I start putting on the voice but then I say 'ladies and gentlemen, I have got no idea why I'm talking like this, I'm from Whitstable,'" Neil, 66, said.

Neil also breaks out his Tommy Cooper impression during the performance, which the audience enjoy.

Dean Martin is also a favourite of his and over the years he has performed in Rat Pack tribute bands and in recent years he has bought out another show, performing Neil Diamond and Tom Jones hits.

"There are a lot of Elvis guys out there, if you want to work at all you have got to be a bit flexible," he said.

And how did his career in the force prepare him for his later work?

"You learn now to manage a group of people, I picked up communication skills,"

The job can be expensive, with Neil's 11 jumpsuits, made in America, ranging from £1,000 up to £6,000.

"My wife is always telling me to sell them off, but compared to the other guys that's quite a small amount."

Neil recently made the news when he sang Viva Las Vegas in his back garden, lifting the spirits at their homes during lockdown.

In a video filmed by a neighbour, residents in Rosemary Gardens can be seen singing and dancing, while following the government's self-distancing rules.

Sarah Jayne and Andy Crust

You might think it's impressive to nail one impersonation, but married couple Andy Crust and Sarah Jayne can pull off 11 between them, and have made an international career out of their talents.

The Ashford pair have toured Europe and played at festivals for 12 years with their Country Superstars show, which they also direct.

Sarah Jayne has been playing Dolly Parton for 26 years, but with a quick wardrobe change and wig switch she becomes Patsy Cline, Billie Joe Spears and Tammy Wynette.

Andy, on the other hand, transforms into Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks, John Denver and Glen Campbell.

The pair, who have a nine-year-old daughter called Lucy, just finished a five year tour.

Sarah said: "We are the world's biggest country music touring show. People say when they watch it, it's like they are back in time and they forget about everything. A lot of people don't realise it's just the two of us. At the end they will say 'when is Patsy Cline coming out?' and then we tell them. They come back to try and catch us out."

Sarah has been playing Dolly ever since she was 17 and spotted an audition in a stage magazine for a show in Jersey. She has worked with the Jolene-singer three times and Dolly even held Lucy in her arms as a baby.

"She's absolutely lovely. She just tries to make people happy and that comes across in her performances. She makes people feel good about themselves," Sarah said.

The outfits Sarah wears, inspired by the country western icon, are made to order in America and she has four wigs just to play Dolly.

She even has a replica of the white and silver guitar multi-Grammy Award winner played with at Glastonbury.

Sarah said: "Dolly is my life and this is the longest I have ever gone without performing as her (since the coronavirus outbreak). I thank her every performance as without her I wouldn't have the life I have. I am very privileged to to have a nice life.

"Dolly doesn't perform in the UK but its good for the fans that someone can do her justice."

While they've been in lockdown the couple have taken part in a recording of We Are The World, starring tribute acts across The UK, to say thank you to frontline staff, as they battle the virus.

Watch the thank you video below to frontline staff, featuring Sarah and Andy as Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers

Carla Winters

Here's a fun fact: look-alikes for Benny Andersson, aka ABBA pianist and composer, are rare. There are plenty of Fridas, Agenthas and Bjorns, but Bennys are notoriously elusive.

These are secrets of the trade Carla Winters has learnt after performing as Agnetha for nearly 20 years on TV and stage.

Dreaming of stardom since school, Carla, owner and producer of Kent based tribute band Abalicious got her first taste of fame after scooping a finalist place in Pop Idol 2001.

She may not have been the winner, but she was not left standing small, and her destiny, after encouragement from a with-it agent who spotted similarities, was to entertain ABBA fans for years to come.

Carla, who is engaged to a professional Benny look a-like, said: "I wasn't a fan of Abba at school. Growing up I liked soul music and Motown, I never thought I would be singing Abba and dressing up, wearing blue make-up and dancing in platform heels at 41."

Abalicious have performed Waterloo on the BBC's Brexitcast show and continuously tour the UK.

But, apart from Carla, who used to DJ for Sheppey FM and grew up in Orpington, band members are always changing, with many performers are on the roll call, which suit their busy lives.

"It's become a collection of the best look-alike and sound-a-likes there are. You will go to the Wimbledon group of Abba impersonators and borrow a Frida or a Benny. There's a real shortage of Bennys.

"Bjorn is okay, he would usually be quite thin. They have got to get in the costumes and play the guitar. Usually guitarists don't work very much so they don't eat a lot.

"Benny is more complicated because he is such a good pianist. If they can play and they can look the part, they can't necessarily act."

Carla was also touring while battling breast cancer, she had numerous operations, including a double mastectomy and her ovaries were removed. She has been in remission for 16 months.

"Someone said to me 'you can lay off it for a bit' but I didn't want to. The music was keeping me going. I lost all my hair and I was having operations and it was such a challenging time, but the music healed me."

"I never thought I would spend 20 years of my life portraying someone else. You get a massive following because people can't see Abba perform anymore. We keep the music going for the fans."

Carla is looking forward to getting on the stage again and marrying Steve once the coronavirus pandemic is over.

After the couple say I do, I do, I do, I do, they don't plan on performing at the reception.

But, Carla admits, Dancing Queen will be a must on the playlist.

Tony Nelson

Tony Nelson has been singing professionally since he was 14, after his dad encouraged him to sing in pubs.

For six years, the George Michael impersonator crooned hits such as Careless Whisper and Freedom for six nights every week, while performing in Corfu, Greece and Tenerife for half of the year.

Overall, he has been performing as the Brit Award winner for 13 years at parties, restaurants and other functions.

But, the Dartford man says he is not tired of the hits and still listens to the songs in the car before a gig, where he dons the iconic Wham! outfits, sunglasses and leather jackets, in order to hone his impersonation.

Tony, 45, was left heartbroken by the singer's death in 2016, and cancelled all his tribute gigs the month after, even though booking request surged.

"I have always been a fan. He was a proper star, not just a singer. He was from the yesteryear of legends like Madonna and Elton John.

"I just fell into playing him, people used to say we sounded similar. I had the chance to go and watch him, my wife bought tickets, but I was in Tenerife so I couldn't go. I was quite upset about it."

The dad of two is also a songwriter and has composed about 350 tunes alongside his writing partner.

This, he says, has made him appreciate the lyrics to George's songs even more.

After all these years, the tunes still make him smile.

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