A LITTLE bit of Las Vegas glamour rolled into Bridlington this weekend.
Not quite Blue Hawaii but the seaside town of Bridlington took centre stage as Elvis Presley tribute acts flocked to the seaside town.
Although Elvis died 36 years ago, the popularity of the King of Rock'n'roll never wavers and it appears Bridlington's love affair with Elvis is as passionate as ever.
More than 30 professional Elvis tribute acts donned their blue suede shoes and flares to take part in the fourth International Elvis Masters Championships at The Spa Bridlington.
Elvis G, 53, of west Hull, has been performing professionally for six years and has competed every year in Bridlington.
"I have always loved Elvis Presley and his music," he said.
"When I first saw Elvis's film, Harum Scarum, I wanted to do something like that, so I took up singing.
"It is good fun competing in these competitions and travelling all over the country and abroad with all of the other acts.
"Performing Elvis Presley songs on stage is great and I try and make it as upbeat and enjoyable for the crowd as it is for me."
Elvis was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century.
In 1954, Elvis started his singing career and, by 1956, he was a global sensation.
His talents, good looks and charisma endeared him to millions of fans around the world.
Away from the music, he starred in 33 successful films and was featured on many television shows.
Elvis died at his Memphis home, Graceland, on August 16, 1977, aged 42.
Despite this being only the fourth event in Bridlington, the show has already become one of the world's biggest Elvis gatherings, drawing performers from Portugal, Spain and Italy.
Ian Deakin, 47, is known as both Flamborough's and Bridlington's Elvis and has been performing tributes to the King since he was nine years old.
"I emigrated to Australia when I was kid and I remember hearing Elvis's Return To Sender being played.
"I loved it and wanted to do what Elvis was doing.
"It was always my dream to perform on stage and tour round the country.
"Being able to perform in a competition as big as this in Bridlington is fantastic.
"There are a lot of good acts and, no matter how long you have been doing it, you learn a lot. It is a really well-run competition."
Mr Deakin, of Flamborough, said the transformation from a wannabe singer to the King is easier than people think.
"I just listen to record after record and try and get my voice sounding like his," he said.
"The transformation is all about the voice. It is easy to wear the clothes but you can't pull it off without the voice."
Mr Deakin has performed at The Spa for seven years and also at Hull Truck Theatre.
The award-winning act's involvement in this year's competition was cut short due to illness but he has vowed to return.
The former Headlingley's Got Talent winner said: "I give it my all on stage and if I can't do that I won't perform at my best but I will be back next year."
The four-day event was due to reach its finale last night.
The counterfeit Kings are all competing for a £1,500 first prize and a gold-plated 2ft trophy.
The eventual winner will also go through to the semi-finals of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Contest in Memphis.
Held at the Cannon Centre – not far from Elvis's Graceland mansion – the competition has a $20,000 first prize.
