The hills are alive to the sound of Elvis!

The King - alias John Curtis - has been wowing holidaymakers at a skiing resort in Austria just a few months after quitting his job as an insurance broker.

John, from Stambridge, quit his job in the City last November after 30 years to become a full-time singer.

With moral support from wife June and another singer he met at a gig, John, 48, decided to chuck in the spirit-sapping commuting and has spent the last few months singing the King's hits along with tunes by Sinatra and Dean Martin for holidaymakers.

It may not be Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, but John regularly sings in the Beisl bar, part of the five star Klosterbrau hotel in Seefeld, Austria - considered one of Europe's top ten hotels.

He said: "It's the biggest hotel in the resort - it is where the rich cats go to stay. Guests come from Austria, Germany, Holland, England and America. I was even invited to play in Holland just before I returned home.

"Everyone still loves Elvis. Everybody knows his music - he's an international language and passport. "

John will be returning for the next holiday season starting June through until August and then again from November through to March when Seefeld comes alive. In between he expects to be working in Spanish resorts as well as in Blighty.

John has become a recognised character in the town and admits the younger people even call him Elvis when they see him in the street.

He regularly sings the classic crooning tunes of Sinatra as well as hits from the 60s through to the 90s, but is constantly amazed how people cannot get enough of his perfect Presley renditions.

He said: "I can't count how many times I've said 'I will wake up in a minute'. I have to pinch myself.

I just turned 48 last year after spending nearly 30 years in insurance. I feel like I wasted my youth but hopefully I'm keeping myself young now.

"If you feel you have something within you and an opportunity comes along, don't say no. It's no use turning 50 and looking back with regret."

Before jetting back to Europe John will be performing at a special Elvis show on April 15 at the Westcliff Club in Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff.

No regrets - John in Elvis regalia before entertaining guests at the Austrian hotel

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