An award-winning Elvis Presley tribute artist from Carshalton scored big when he won a US competition dedicated to the King of Rock and Roll.

Ben Thompson bagged $20,000 (roughly £15,200) and a contract with Elvis Presley Enterprises at the 2018 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist contest in Memphis, Tennessee.

Discovering his love for the Heartbreak Hotel singer at five years old, he has now secured a show with a full live band at the Harlequin Theatre, in Redhill, next February.

Mr Thompson, now 24, said: “It was the proudest moment of my life, it’s something I’ve wanted for so long and to finally achieve it was surreal.

“The moment my name was announced, I was in disbelief. It was the moment my dream came true and it’s an honour to be an official representative of Elvis Presley.

“To be recognised for doing something you love is amazing.”

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Ben Thompson. Photo: Rianne O'Leary

He intends to use the money to “kick-start” a deposit for a home he and his fiancée, Rianne O’Leary, are saving for.

Elvis Presley Enterprises, founded by the Elvis Presley Trust, manages the former home of the Hound Dog star and its relate properties.

They also provide and license Elvis-themed events, tours, and attractions across the globe.

The new deal means Mr Thompson will get to perform at events such as Elvis Week, which takes place in Memphis every August, and use their official accreditation.

It comes as he secured a lookalike role in blockbuster Hollywood film Blade Runner 2049 which starred Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling.

Mr Thompson added: “From humble beginnings, when I made my first appearance at the St Helier Festival in 2009, I really couldn’t have imagined where my love of Elvis would’ve taken me.

“I’m extremely excited to see where it continues going.”

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Sutton Guardian first covered his journey when he was just 16 years old way back in April 2010.

Since then he has secured a range of accolades – alongside being the original winner of Europe’s Tribute to Elvis in 2013, he was also the first international winner of Tupelo’s Ultimate Elvis Contest a year later.

It was after that he was presented with the “key to the city” by the city’s mayor Jason Shelton, the King’s place of birth in the US state of Mississippi.

Mr Thompson’s show is titled, ‘Ben Thompson Live as Elvis Presley’, and will be on at the Harlequin Theatre on February 8 next year.

To book tickets, click here.