Elvis is back in the building with Leighton Buzzard’s tribute act Danny Graceland

Danny is appearing at the theatre on June 5 on the back of success in Blackpool where he competed in an Elvis tribute act contest, winning the People's Choice and Gospel Awards.

It’s the fourth time the competition has been held, this year attracting around 30 Elvis tribute acts including several who came from abroad,” he said.

"I never go with any expectation of winning so was really happy to come away with the People’s Choice award especially as it’s voted for by the fans. So it meant a lot. The award is named in memory of an Elvis fan so it makes it a very prestigious award to win.

“For the Gospel Award I sang ‘Danny Boy’ which was so emotional as it was in memory of my late mum and was the first time I’d performed it,” he added. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. I love singing the gospel music so to win this was also really special.”

Former warehouse worker Danny Turney, 36, became an Elvis tribute act two years ago after friends sent a video of him to a showbiz agent.

He used to entertain friends and family with renditions of the King of Rock and Roll's classic hits – which was a world away from his job as a warehouse supervisor in Leighton Buzzard stacking and delivering palettes. But his talent as a tribute act meant he was able to quit his job as he was soon earning more as Elvis, and adopted the stage name of Danny Graceland.

Danny, who is Leighton Buzzard born and bred, said his appreciation for Elvis began when he was a young boy. He spent a lot of time with his grandparents where his beloved nan had a room that he said was "basically a shrine to Elvis, gold records and everything".

He said: “My nan was an absolute fanatic Elvis fan. She’d put on Elvis records while doing her ironing and most weekends we'd go to a local working men’s club. It was the social scene, there was a live band, I was always a big fan of rock and roll music and I’d be singing and had the shaky leg.”

He say his fiancee, children and family have always been very supportive of his new career and even has a legion of fans from Leighton Buzzard who follow him and travel to his gigs.

Aside from singing Danny plays darts and coaches football in his spare time, and will be going back into the recording studio to do an Elvis album.

"I did an earlier recording of an album but for one reason or another it didn’t happen,” he said. But I will be back recording the album with the title track ‘If I can Dream’, which is my favourite Elvis song. It will hopefully be released in July.”

Danny will be appearing at Leighton Buzzard Library Theatre on June 5 with a show billed as a ‘multi award-winning Elvis tribute act bringing The King’s greatest hits to life with electrifying energy and heartfelt tribute. Supported by a live band, this unforgettable show captures the spirit, sound, and soul of Elvis Presley’.

Book tickets for the ‘Elvis is back in the building with Danny Graceland’ show here