A Scottish man has become the UK's most watched Elvis impersonator after a video of him singing went viral, attracting over two million views. Craig Stephens became an online hit after a spontaneous performance of 'Burning Love' was posted to TikTok by his wife of 31 years, Debbie.
Viral Performance on Portobello Beach
The video shows Craig dressed as Elvis performing by Portobello Beach in Edinburgh, and it has attracted nearly two million views. It has now become one of the most liked clips of any Elvis impersonator on TikTok. Craig says he is now the second most popular tribute act on the app, second only to American impersonator and Graceland ambassador Dean Zee.
Craig went viral at an event called the Portobello Big Beach Busk, which takes place every year in Edinburgh. Debbie encouraged Craig to take part, saying: "I was looking out the window, and saw there were a lot of people out there. I said he should get his Elvis suit on and go down there. So he got his speaker and his microphone, put his jumpsuit on - and he really looked the part."
Family Support and Public Reaction
Debbie added: "We went down there and it went really, really well. He had all these tourists coming up to him and asking to get photographs. I felt so happy for him - I was so proud." After the video was posted on 29 August, the couple says the response from the public was "out of this world."
Debbie said: "It just blew up - we were thinking, what's going on here? We had people from all over the world commenting and saying how much he looked like Elvis, and how he sounded great." Craig added: "That evening, it went from 17,000 views to 72,000 - and it kept rising every time I looked. It's just short of two million now."
New Opportunities and Future Plans
In the weeks since going viral, Craig has been asked to take part in upcoming events as an Elvis impersonator, and has even received a blessing from fellow Elvis, Dean Zee. Craig said: "Dean Zee is the world's biggest Elvis tribute artist, who works for Graceland as an ambassador as well. I've spoken to him, and he supports what I'm doing - he even asked me to come to Missouri to go on stage with him! It's great to have his backing."
Craig also mentioned: "I've got a winter festival booked just before Christmas in Helensburgh for charity as well - it'll be a big stage, lots of people in the audience." Despite the unexpectedness of his newfound fame, Craig says he has no plans to take off the costume any time soon. "We'll see where the journey takes us," he said. "There's no sign of giving it up - I think it'll be onwards and upwards from here on. People are even calling Debbie 'Priscilla' now!"
