EAST LANCS' answer to the King of rock 'n' roll has branded a North West Elvis competition as nothing more than a 'karaoke contest'.
Impersonator Steve Preston, of Haslingden, is to be filmed by Sky TV crews at an Anniversary Elvis Tribute show tonight after making the controversial claim.
Steve, born and bred in Rossendale, will turn the Thwaites Empire Theatre, Blackburn, into a shrine for the American singer on the day fans throughout the world remember and mourn him.
Steve spoke out against the Blackpool Elvis Contest which claims to present the winner as the European champion.
He has achieved fame of his own with his Elvis tribute show, even performing in front of the Queen at a Royal Command performance.
And he said that because the Blackpool competition failed to attract the big names in the Elvis tribute world it amounted to nothing more than a "karaoke contest."
Sky originally intended to film the Blackpool contest on Saturday but have now included Steve's 27th anniversary show at Blackburn tonight.
The show is being promoted by www.elvis-impersonators.com who regard Steve as the UK 's No.1 Elvis tribute.
Michael King, co-producer of the Blackpool Elvis Contest, said: "How can Mr Preston judge this event when he wasn't even there? I think he is frightened of entering because he thinks he might lose. We had some of the best Elvis impersonators in the world."
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