Mark's a Dame dead ringer
Hello possums! This is the Shropshire man hoping to make an impact on the back of buses across the region - as a lookalike for Australian comedian Dame Edna Everage.
Mark Billingham, from Shifnal, has reached the last eight of a competition looking for celebrity dead ringers in the West Midlands.
TravelWise West Midlands is running the contest to find a poster star for its campaign promoting green travel, aimed at reducing dependence on the car.
Mark, a 39-year-old support worker, is among eight finalists invited to Birmingham Central Library to have their photos taken.
Judges will soon decide on a final four to appear in the adverts encouraging people to use public transport, walk and cycle more often.
He said: "I was very nervous but did a 20-minute stand-up show and I sent a video off to an agent and for eight-and-a-half years I have been a Dame Edna lookalike and soundalike.
"I do shows at hotels, weddings, birthdays and even did one at Banqueting House in London as a mistress of speakers at a merger between Australian and British travel companies.
"I lived and breathed Dame Edna as a kid, I just used to find it so funny. People say to me that when I put the outfit on my whole body changes."
Mark is competing with lookalikes of Ozzy Osbourne, EastEnders' hard man Phil Mitchell and TV comic Harry Hill.
Joanne Rainbow, from TravelWise West Midlands, said: "The winners will probably become local celebrities."
