If Elvis was alive he'd be celebrating his 72nd birthday on January 8. Since he's not, die-hard fans will have to do with the next best thing - world-class Elvis tribute act Steve Preston, performing in Blackburn.

LET'S get one thing straight - Steve Preston isn't a fat man in a cheap white jumpsuit - or "a Benidorm Elvis" as he calls them. He's the real deal.

He's performed in the highly-acclaimed Legends show, played at former Arsenal captain Tony Adams' wedding and is the only Elvis tribute to ever perform for the Queen.

In short, he's about as close to The King as it's possible to get.

Born and bred in Rossendale, Steve has played for packed-out venues all over the world, but still makes time for frequent shows in his own back yard, and is especially excited to be returning to Thwaites Empire Theatre, in Blackburn.

"I've played all over the world, as far as New Zealand, Malta, and I've even recorded in America," said Steve.

"But I like the Thwaites. It's got a good size stage for the type of venue it is."

Steve views his tribute act as a craft and everything, right down to creating exact replica copies of Elvis' stage costumes, is done right.

"We're bringing a big PA system, fantastic lighting and a 220-bulb Elvis sign in lights which is a sight to behold," said Steve.

"Elvis never did anything on the cheap, which is great, but it costs us. It's great for the fans."

He doesn't have much time for the many lazy Elvis impersonators working circuits all over the world.

"They're a lot of what I call Benidorm Elvises who stand in the corner with a cheap white suit on.

"What I do is a much bigger, more professional production," he said.

"This is a genuine show for genuine Elvis fans. It isn't the kind of show that will do Elvis's memory damage.

"It'll enhance his image. I try to show the audience what type of act he really was."

Steve began touring the northern circuit as a professional Elvis impersonator in 1986.

Before that he'd played in a comedy band who included in their act a 20-minute Elvis tribute.

"At first my family and friends thought it was a strange choice of career," laughed Steve.

"But I've been going for 20 years and I think they understand it's a good successful show by now."

Despite living and breathing The King for as long as he can remember, Steve insists he's still a huge fan of the man himself.

"I'll always enjoy watching and listening to Elvis," he said.

"Of course I have to study him more than your average fan ever would, but I love my job.

"I think to do something like this you have to.

"An audience would see straight through you if you were doing it for the money.

"You've got to be genuine to reach a certain level."

Elvis is the world's most impersonated performer.

Experts reckon there's at least 85,000 Elvis tribute acts around the world today. Why does Steve think this is?

"There's just something about him. It's hard to explain," he said.

"If you see old movies of him when he's in concert the people around him in rehearsals age over the years but he always seems to look the same.

"He had an aura about him. He was unique."

See Steve Preston perform the Happy Birthday Elvis concert at Thwaites Empire Theatre, Monday, January 8. For tickets call 01254 680137.