'World Cup mania' sees lookalike business booming

A lookalike business owner says business is booming for his England football doubles, putting the boost down to "World Cup mania".

Andy Harmer, who formerly worked as a Sir David Beckham doppelganger, said demand for lookalikes of Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and other Three Lions stars had risen due to the tournament, and the team's success.

Harmer, from Eastbourne, East Sussex, also said he was now looking to try and recruit more lookalike actors to fill some of the holes in his roster, such as someone who looks like Bukayo Saka or Elliot Anderson.

He said: "It has been absolutely crazy."

He added: "They are doing a lot of social media campaigns, that seems to be the most popular thing at the moment.

"I'm still missing quite a few. If England were to win the final I think they would be set up for life though."

Harmer, who says he has worked with Sir David on several occasions during his lookalike career, also said he has been able to source doubles for England's off-pitch stars, like manager Thomas Tuchel.

Describing working as a lookalike as an "amazing job", he says finding new lookalikes means he receives profiles for potential doubles "pretty much daily".

Following England's win against Norway and Jude Bellingham's two goals to send the team through to the semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday evening, he said requests for the Real Madrid midfielder had been growing.

Among other lookalikes he added to the agency have included six Harry Kanes, as well as other footballers.

Lookalikes for other footballers playing in the World Cup include Norway's Erling Haaland, Argentina's Lionel Messi, and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.

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