Elvis tribute Andy Ottley, of Great Blakenham, to keep performing after fire destroys wardrobe and home studio

A beloved Elvis Presley tribute act is determined to keep rocking despite a devastating fire that swept through his home studio.

Andy Ottley, 54, of Great Blakenham, has spent the past six years performing as the King of Rock and Roll across East Anglia with gigs booked almost every weekend.

However, disaster struck overnight when a faulty plug sparked a fire that ripped through his garage studio and office — destroying not only his recording equipment and essential paperwork, but also his iconic Elvis costumes worth thousands of pounds.

“I could smell the smoke before I opened the door,” Andy said. “Everything had burned out. Absolutely everything. I’ve never seen anything like it.

“One of the main plugs had exploded and made a huge fireball which went up the wall and across the ceiling.

“It burnt all my jumpsuits, all my clothes, everything. It felt like my heart just stopped — I was absolutely devastated.”

Andy was forced to cancel a performance scheduled for that evening, feeling defeated in the aftermath of the fire.

Fortunately, he had left two of his jumpsuits and his PA system in his car following a gig in Norwich the night before.

However, the blaze claimed his remaining five jumpsuits — including a replica of the iconic white suit Elvis wore during his legendary ‘Aloha from Hawaii’ concert in 1973.

"A high-quality suit like that can cost between £1,500 and £2,000 if bought new," Andy said.

"Losing it, along with four other similarly priced costumes, as well the boots, the belts, even the nice jackets and puffy shirts Elvis would wear in rehearsals and things like that — it’s all just absolutely gutting.”

Andy’s love for Elvis had always been a part of his life which he attributes to his mum and her side of the family — but his tribute career began unexpectedly after performing classics like ‘Suspicious Minds’ and ‘Wonder of You’ at karaoke nights.

"People said I was pretty good," Andy said. "But I didn’t think much of it.

“That changed when my friends hosted an Elvis night at their pub, The Greyhound in Claydon — it kind of just took off from there.

"I found myself booked most weekends, all while still working in a factory in Stowmarket. Eventually, I made the leap to go full-time and I’ve never looked back."

During the pandemic, Andy brought the spirit of Elvis to fans through Facebook Live performances from his home studio.

One video reached more than 59,000 views, attracting audiences from around the world and creating a sense of community during a challenging time for many.

Andy is now working with his insurance company to explore options for rebuilding his destroyed studio and claiming for his lost costumes — but in the meantime, the show must go on.

“I performed over the weekend just gone,” he said. “It’s going to take time to build everything up again, and I honestly don’t know what’s going happen next.

“But all my friends and family have been so supportive during this difficult time for me and it is genuinely so appreciated, everyone has been so lovely.”

For bookings or inquiries about having Andy perform at your venue, party, wedding or special occasion, you can contact him via Facebook by clicking here.

Alternatively, you can reach him at 07877 704443 or by emailing ao999@sky.com.