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This Simon Cowell lookalike granddad is constantly stopped for selfies

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PHOTO: Getty Images/Gallo Images
PHOTO: Getty Images/Gallo Images

Cape Town - Simon Cowell, is that you?

Andy Monk has been mistaken for the famous judge since 2002 after Simon gained fame for his appearances on Pop Idol.

Since then, wherever he goes the 59-year-old granddad is constantly stopped by Simon’s fans for selfies and autographs.

“For more than 10 years now I’ve been mistaken for Simon, but I never saw it at first,” Andy says.

“It all started when my friends would comment that I looked like Simon, but now I get it from strangers every day.

“Every time I go shopping I get stopped by people – and even if it’s not for a photo or an autograph I always get whispers of ‘oh look it’s Simon Cowell’.

“I’ve had people taking photographs of me when I’ve been out for dinner, people mobbing me when I’m out shopping and even one man who screamed and dropped to the floor in front of me.”

Even Andy’s grandson, William (4), shouts “granddad” at the television when seeing Simon on Britain’s Got Talent.

And despite not being famous himself, Andy admits he now goes along with it when people think he’s the 58-year-old talent show judge.

“I’m a DJ and almost every time I perform at someone’s wedding the bride will think she’s got Simon Cowell DJ’ing her wedding and the room will ask me for selfies.

“But even though I had this for years, I never truly believed it until strangers regularly pointed it out – I thought my friends were over exaggerating before!” he says.

Despite having spent 16 years being mistaken for the British producer and TV star, the DJ says he doesn’t always try to look like him.

“It’s mainly the outfits that identify me as him – so I steer away from the sunglasses and white t-shirts when I’m not trying to look like him.

“But it takes me minutes to look like him, as I think it’s more of a natural thing as opposed to any make-up.

“But on a day when I really want to look like him, I get my hair cut, wear bronzer, signature outfits and sunglasses – and that still takes only 10 minutes,” he says.

Over the years Andy has attended multiple events as a Simon Cowell lookalike and even met his wife, Rose Cook Monk (48), at a function.

“I met Simon Cowell before I met Andy, and I always thought he was a very attractive man,” Rose says.

“And that’s exactly what I thought when I met Andy – considering his resemblance to Cowell is mad!

“But now I see him for more than just his similarities and, although I love him looking like Cowell, I see through the suit and sunglasses!”

Source: Magazine Features      

Pictures: CATERS/WWW.MAGAZINEFEATURES.CO.ZA   

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