Rod Stewart lookalike raking it in as tribute act becomes big business

A Rod Stewart impersonator has revealed how performing as the rock legend has turned into a booming business - earning him double what he made as a musician and the approval of Rod's own family. Paul Metcalfe, 55, has spent nearly three decades performing as Sir Rod and says the gig has brought him fame, fortune, and even a following of "Rod groupies." "It took off straight away," Paul told Express.co.uk. "I started making lots of money, I started getting lots of work, and I could earn more money - and then some! It was a no-brainer, really - and I'm still here doing it."

Paul says the tribute scene can be surprisingly lucrative. "Most tribute acts who are any good make good money - it's a niche thing. At a rough estimate, it's at least double what I used to earn as a musician, which is crazy, isn't it? It means I don't have to do a proper job!" Paul first stumbled into the tribute world by accident after his drum kit was stolen from a pub gig. "I couldn't afford to replace it, so I started singing - and realised I sounded just like Rod," he said. "Thirty years later, here we are."

His theatre show, Some Guys Have All The Luck - The Rod Stewart Story, has since toured across the UK and abroad, earning praise from fans and even Rod's sister Mary, who has seen it four times.

"She's such a nice lady," Paul said. "It's weird in a nice way that Rod's sister comes to watch me pretending to be her brother.

"We hug after and chat, and I always say, 'Can you pass my compliments to Rod?' and she says, 'I'll be seeing Roddy next week, I'll pass it on.'

"I thought it would be rude to ask why she comes. Maybe it's a memory thing, I don't know why but it's a huge compliment."

His success led him from weddings and private parties to the West End, and now he performs two or three theatre shows a week - mostly to "ladies of a certain age" who, he laughs, "either want to mother me or fancy me."

"We've got a lot of fans that keep turning up, and I start to get to know them. Kind of like groupies," he laughed. "It's a compliment. They're all fantastic."

Paul does his own hair and make-up and buys costumes online for as little as £40.

And just like the real Rod, he admits women can't resist a performer in leopard print. "Oh yes, they flirt," Paul laughed. "Once the drinks are flowing, they lose their inhibitions a bit. They're happy to enter into the fantasy they're watching the real Rod."

Despite performing for Rod's family, Paul's never met the man himself - though he's tried. "I once sent a letter via his brother Don, who came to see the show before he passed away. He said he'd sent it to Rod and I'd get a reply soon, but I'm still waiting!"

If he ever does meet the superstar, Paul insists he wouldn't fanboy. "I'd love to chat to him about model railways," he said. "He's got an entire floor in his house dedicated to it - I've still got mine too. I'd rather talk trains than tell him he's brilliant."

Catch Paul Metcalfe in Some Guys Have All The Luck | The Rod Stewart Story - tour dates at www.someguyshavealltheluck.com.