MICHAEL Jackson fans are set to be wowed when the UK’s ultimate tribute to the King of Pop heads to Bradford.

Ben Bowman is in demand across the world for his shows, which have been hailed as the most exciting tribute of the King Of Pop to have ever toured UK theatres.

This year - a decade on from Michael’s death in 2009 - Michael Starring Ben is playing more than 40 theatres across the country, including its West End premiere held in April at the London Palladium.

The spectacular show arrives at St George’s Hall on Friday November 22.

Accompanied by a superb live band, stunning costumes and iconic dance routines the performance delivers the most authentic, lively and powerful re-creation of the world class superstar that audiences are likely to see anywhere.

Ben was just eight-years-old when he first saw his musical hero live in concert. Already a devoted fan, the experience was to seal his fate as he later embarked on a life-long career as a tribute artist to the star.

While in his teens friends commented on how he sounded like the star, and, 14 years ago, he began earning money performing as the star, quitting a course in drama to devote more time to it.

Yet even then, he never imagined that one day he would able to make a career out of his talent.

Now Ben, who never tires of the songs of his hero and plays his hits every day, is in demand across the world for his shows.

Fans of Jackson will not be disappointed - Ben’s performances have been hailed as the most exciting tribute of the King of Pop to have ever toured UK theatres.

Michael Starring Ben features not only Jackson’s greatest hits but also those of The Jackson 5.

The show brings together a fresh blend mixing elements of Jackson’s own stage shows with exciting new arrangements combined with a stunning light show to create the perfect celebration of Michael and his music.

Ben, who not only looks and sounds like Michael Jackson, has honed his routine so impeccably that audiences believe they are watching their hero. It is a worthy tribute to the life and work of arguably one of the most popular and influential entertainers in the world.

Speaking about the show, Ben says: “I was always enchanted by the way people reacted to Michael, the way they screamed and became hysterical. I love that we, as a team, are able to provoke that kind of reaction from a crowd.

“I feel so honoured to have been able to use my talent here on earth to channel Michael’s legacy and I will do it for as long as I possibly can in homage to his music making me the person I am today.”

He loves the passion displayed by the fans. “It is an emotional experience being out there, hearing them,” he says.

He also loves the fact that his show introduces children who were too young to know of Michael Jackson and his music, but have grown to love him through their parents being fans.

Ben is thrilled to be the person keeping Jackson’s music and distinctive dance routines - copied by young and old the world over - alive. People who were lucky enough to have seen Michael perform, and then watched Ben, often come up to tell him how pleased they feel the star would be with the tribute.

Michael Starring Ben is brought to Bradford by Cuffe & Taylor, one of the UK’s top ten live music and event promoters, in association with James Baker Productions, one of the UK’s top live music and theatrical production companies.

Cuffe & Taylor work with artists including Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, Noel Gallagher and Kylie Minogue.

*Michael Starring Ben visits St George’s Hall on Friday, November 22.

Tickets are on sale now from cuffeandtaylor.com.

Helen Mead