Double visions

11 April 2012

Celebrities may like to think they are unique. But they should take a long hard look at our photograph.

It shows seven ordinary people who receive comments each day from strangers mistaking them for the stars they uncannily resemble.

They include a full-time mother who is a Dawn French double and a warehouseman who has teenage girls convinced he is Justin Timberlake.

Some are professional lookalikes, others just entertain their friends, but they have all gained a slot on ITV's Stars and Their Doubles, being aired on Saturday, January 10. They can also be seen in the magazine Radio Times, which is on sale now. Here is what the seven say about their double lives.

1. 'Ricky Gervais'
DAVE STONESTREET, 42, from Brighton. TV production worker. Single
Looks like: The man who plays boss from hell David Brent in The Office.

Dave says: 'I looked so like Ricky that people from work kept hassling me to do something about it. From the point at which I grew a beard my life changed completely. I've done parties, television work and made corporate speeches.

'When I'm doing the speeches I usually pretend I have been put in charge of whatever company it is, and when I'm talking to people I pretend I'm their new boss.'

2'Anne Robinson'
JANET TAYLOR, 59, from South Wingfield, Derbyshire. Bursar at a grammar school. Mother-of-two.
Looks like: TV's fearsome inquisitor.

Janet says: 'I've always been a lookalike because many years ago when she was on Points of View I used to get stopped all the time. I had to either change myself or go for it and I went for it.

'Occasionally I do shows and the pupils where I work quite like it.

'Being a bursar, I am always fighting for money so being a little acidic comes naturally.'

3 'Justin Timberlake'
ANTHONY WHITEHEAD, 23, from Canterbury. Brewery warehouseman. Single.
Looks like: The heart-throb singer.

About Anthony: 'When he was a young lad, girls would come up to him all the time saying how much he looked like Justin,' said his sister and agent, Amanda, 28. 'He went to an agent and it just snowballed from there.

'He still lives with our mum and dad but he gets a lot of attention from the girls. Sometimes he says he just wants to be himself - but I don't believe him!'

'Johnny Depp'
CARMELO MASI, 34, from Slough, Berkshire. Guitarist and singer in a funk rock band. Father-of-two.
Looks like: The brooding, buccaneering movie star.

Carmelo says: 'I answered an advert in a magazine for lookalikes because a lot of people said I looked so much like Johnny Depp.

'I think Johnny is awesome, a brilliant actor. I don't have to do much to look like him. I already had the moustache and goatie beard. No one has called me for any jobs yet, but it would be good if it took off.'

5 'Ozzy Osbourne'
DAITHI MCGROATHY, 53, from Nottingham. Freelance radio presenter. Married.
Looks like: Wild man of rock. Family man on TV's The Osbournes.

Daithi says: 'I have always looked like this. It is Ozzy Osbourne who looks like me. That's the way I see it anyway.

'I had the long hair and people kept coming up to me all the time telling me I was him.

'And I am as mad as he is, otherwise I would not get myself into predicaments like this. My appearances include Christmas parties and touring universities.'

Dawn French
SONIA WOODROFFE, 40, from Teddington, South-West London. Married mother-of-one.
Looks like: The Vicar of Dibley.

Sonia says: 'This is really just a good laugh for me - I don't take it seriously. I am taller than Dawn so whenever I am being her I sit down - like on this photo - or pad myself out around the middle and wear flat shoes. I don't do it professionally but I do dress up for parties. I have all her mannerisms - and her love of chocolates.'

7 'Billy Connolly'
BOB LUCAS, 54, from Cambridge. Professional double. Father-of-two.
Looks like: The Scots comedian and film star.

Bob says: 'I was on holiday in Spain in a karaoke bar when someone noticed the similarity and I thought I'd get up on stage and do a gig.

'When I came home I sent my picture to several agencies and work started coming in straight away. The good thing is Billy is so popular that I am always going to get a good response.

'What's great is to have another lease of life in your fifties, a whole new direction.

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