Roy has stars in his eyes

For it will really be Roy Acton, a dead ringer for the Liverpool legend and a hopeful on this week's Stars In Their Eyes.

Roy, a semi-professional singer from Morley Road, Blackpool, sent off a tape to the show last year when people were constantly comparing him to the lead singer of the Pacemakers.

He wasn't expecting to get any further so was delighted when he was given an audition in September - but still had to play a waiting game before he was finally invited on to the show.

"First I had to be seen by the make-up and costume people to see if I could be transformed into Gerry Marsden," he explained. "Then they had to make sure that I could fit in with their choreography."

His wish was granted last November when he recorded the show, sharing the stage with lookalike Garth Brooks, Justin Currie from Del Amitri, Carmen Miranda and Gwen Stefani from No Doubt.

"It was a brillaint day," Roy told the Citizen.

"I was terrified, though. Matthew Kelly was very supportive and as nice as he appears to be on television.

"He even introduced us all to his parents."

Roy has always been a Gerry and the Pacemakers fan, meeting his hero just a few weeks ago.

"I rang his managment and told them I would be impersonating him on Stars In Their Eyes.

"We were introduced at a concert in Bolton and he was very interested.

"Unfortunately, he will be out of the country on Saturday but he is making sure someone tapes it for him."

Whether he wins or loses, Roy's appearance has already earned a few gigs up and down the country and a few spots in the Spanish resort of Marbella.

Viewers will be able to see the results on Granada this Saturday and even if he fails to get through to the grand final you may just see his face on television again.

This week Roy was auditioning for Catchphrase.

"I've definitely caught the telly bug," he beamed.

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