I'm all shook up


27 September 2005 11:50

With hips a swinging and clad in his best sequinned jump suit, a one-legged Elvis impersonator from Norfolk will make an unusual television appearance next week.

Andy Gibson, 51, will be seen by viewers across the country with fellow Norfolk Elvis fanatic Mark Goddard, 40, on BBC 1's popular Bargain Hunt.

The pair filmed a special Elvis-themed show earlier this summer with antique expert David Dickinson and are now looking forward to seeing the results.

While the items they picked up may have been “cheap as chips”, the pair did not manage to make much of profit in the dog-eat-dog world of antique dealing.

The two have now agreed they had better stick to what they know best - impersonating The King.

Mr Gibson, from Smallburgh, lost his leg from the knee down after a freak accident getting in his car, but his disability did not stop the Elvis fanatic pursuing his dream career.

The grandfather of one and step-granddad to four, said: “I had to have my leg amputated after I broke it getting in my car back in 1998.

“I was in a hurry and it was made weak after a motorbike accident when I was younger.

“My wife Janet also sadly passed away in the same year so it was a very sad time for me.

“It was my love of music that really got me through everything. I have been an Elvis fan for many years and I started the singing three-and-a-half years ago. It has been a great comfort to me.”

Mr Gibson, who has two grown-up children, said that he has since managed to rebuild his life with his new partner Linda Carver.

“I use a false leg now and it is covered in pictures of Elvis. I do gigs all around and I absolutely love it.”

The two impersonators took on another pair for Elvis look-a-likes from Yorkshire in the TV challenge which was filmed three months ago.

After being given £300 to spend, they were sent off on the hunt and came back with collectibles including two dolls' chairs and a footstool.

Mr Goddard, from Potter Heigham, who has been covering Elvis songs since he was at school, said: “We knew the other two Elvises that we were up against so the whole thing was a really good laugh.

“We went to an antiques fair at Peterborough Showground where we bought our items and we then auctioned them off a couple of weeks after that in Cambridge.

“I'd better not tell you what the outcome was so it doesn't spoil it but we didn't make a profit.

“It was fun meeting David Dickinson and I'm looking forward to seeing the show on TV next week,” he added.

The show will be on BBC on Monday, October 3, at 12.15pm.

Are you about to become a television star? Telephone Evening News reporter Lisa Horton on (01603) 765704 or e-mail lisa.horton@archant.co.uk

Email A Friend

News: Latest headlines on Evening News 24