As the whole world goes just a little bit more Elvis crazy than usual thanks to 2015 being his 80th year (he’s not dead, as you obviously know), Rosy Moorhead chats to Mario Kombou who has been impersonating the King since he was eight, played him in Jailhouse Rock in the West End, and is now playing him in The Elvis Years, which comes to the Alban Arena this month.

How did you celebrate Elvis’ 80th birthday back in January?

I raised a glass to him and wished him a happy birthday, and sang him a little song!

How many times have you been to Graceland?

Many times, probably about 15! It’s like going back in time. A lot of the stuff in there’s the way it was, it’s really cool. And also I’ve been to Tupelo where he was born, so to see the difference to where he came from to where he was is amazing. A two-room shack, it’s crazy.

Just how big an Elvis fan are you?

I’m a big fan, I grew up watching the movies and listening to the songs in my bedroom, and my bedroom walls were covered in Elvis’ posters when I was a kid.

What’s your favourite Elvis song?

My favourites change all the time, that’s the draw of Elvis, there are different songs for different moods.

Did you start impersonating him before you started playing him in shows?

Yeah, I started singing his songs when I was a teenager, going to restaurants and my friends would get me up to sing at weddings and parties and stuff, not as impersonations but singing his songs.

Are there any of his mannerisms that were particularly difficult to master?

Obviously you’ve got to remember that when Elvis moved he moved naturally, he did what he felt. He moved in a certain way that felt natural to him but doesn’t necessarily feel natural to you, so it’s always difficult.

How many costume changes do you go through in one show?

Twelve. I’ve got it down to a fine art – you’ve got under a minute to take off one costume and put another one on and get back out on stage. It’s tough!

What do you personally love about him?

It’s everything really, it’s the whole package – he was a very good looking man, he was very charismatic, he had a fantastic voice, he was a very good actor, he was very natural.

The Elvis Years, Alban Arena, Thursday, June 25, 7.30pm. Details: 01727 844488, alban-arena.co.uk