IT’S every young child’s dream to become a popstar.

Adored by millions, performing every night and living the chic lifestyle that comes with being a singing sensation.

And when Ben Portsmouth takes to The Anvil stage next month he will fulfil a lifelong ambition to become Elvis Presley in his new show The King is Back.

Catching up with The Gazette before he heads to Basingstoke, The King spoke about life as a tribute act and how he turned his obsession into a passion.

“As long as people don’t start sitting outside my house, I’m alright with being compared to Elvis,” Ben told The Gazette.

“There are a lot of good Elvis impersonators out there so you have to really do your own thing with it.

“On stage I’m trying to become the best Elvis, but I can separate myself when I’m off stage. It’s so much fun though and so far I’ve only had people send nice things to me after shows.”

Growing up, Ben became consumed with the “infectious” music of country singer turned rock ‘n’ roll superstar Elvis Presley.

As a youngster he would listen to his Dad’s cassettes of Unchained Melody and American Trilogy before picking up a guitar and mastering the instrument.

But it was in 2005, when Ben decided to move away from session work and become the star he had always wanted to be.

“I’ve always been in bands and  still write my own songs now,” Ben continued.

"One day I was just waiting around the studio, strumming my Elvis songs, and waiting for a singer to turn up and I just thought ‘I don’t want to do this anymore’. So I got a band together and did the Elvis thing.”

He added: “I won a competition out in Memphis and then it just escalated. I was on TV in America with Dave Letterman, doing sold-out shows and meeting so many important people.

“I’m just so thankful for the job I’ve got. This whole Elvis thing is phenomenal. At the end of the day, I’m just a local lad from Berkshire who has performed as Elvis everywhere from New Zealand to Rio. It’s a testament to Elvis’ work, that I can travel and wow audiences with his music.”

The King Is Back comes to The Anvil on Wednesday May 10.

To find out more visit anvilarts. org.uk/whats-on/the-king-isback.