Life hasn't turned out too 'bad' for a local lad who makes his living out of impersonating one of the world's biggest pop stars.In fact, Ben Bowman says you can't 'beat it'. He spoke to Hayley Robinson.

The death of Michael Jackson on June 25, 2009 left his fans
around the world devastated.

But the King of Pop's legacy lives on through tribute artist Ben
Bowman.

The 25-year-old Borden resident started impersonating MJ
professionally eight years ago.

"It was when I was about 16, I was singing to some of my friends
in a class at school and they said I sounded like him and why
didn't I try singing and dancing like him," he said.

"I ended up hiring halls and selling tickets for about £2 and
selling the hall out to about 20 people.

"Not in a million years did I think I would make a career out of
it."

Today Ben performs up and down the country in theatres which
seat up to 1,000 people, if not more.

His live shows, which have been described as 'providing the
closest experience to an original Michael Jackson concert', include
a full 10-piece band, four backing singers and 10-dancers plus a
make-up artist and costume designer to help him achieve the star's
look.

Both pictures above: Ben
Bowman makes a living from his Michael Jackson Tribute Show

Away from the stage, he spends hours mastering dance moves to
songs such Thriller and Bad with his choreographer Lisa Woods.

He said: "Smooth Criminal is my favourite dance, it's so iconic
to Michael Jackson.

"It's been a year we've been touring around the UK but this year
we're going to Ireland and also mainland Europe. We're also looking
at a tour across America either next year or the year after, we
want to take it all over the world.

"The O2 arena has always been the goal, even bigger than that we
would like to be at Wembley Arena. I believe we can get there.

"We are working with specialists in
lighting design, staging and pyrotechnics - we want to put on the
best show possible to continue the legacy of the King of Pop."

Despite his success, the former Minster College student says his
feet are still firmly on the ground.

Ben, pictured left, added: "I'm very humbled and those who
know me know it hasn't gone to my head.

"Everyone around me, all the wonderful people I've met and the
places I've travelled is all because of him."

The Michael Jackson Tribute show will be performed at Woodville Hall, Gravesend, from 7.30pm on Saturday. Tickets are available from the box office on 01474 337774. For more information about the show, visit www.michaeljacksonuk.com.