MEETING Rod Stewart’s sister or brother could have been the kiss of death for Paul Metcalfe’s stage show, but fortunately the superstar’s family were impressed.

The musical stage show, Some Guys Have All The Luck, has been carefully crafted by Paul, who has always been a fan of Rod Stewart’s music.

“Everyone knows where they were the first time they heard Maggie May,’’ said Paul. “Rod’s voice was so different, for me it was mesmerising and as for that spiky haircut!’’

The show has proved so popular that Paul had a chance to take it to The West End.

“It was tops. We had drinks after the show in Leicester Square and I felt it was living the high life,’’ said Paul.

The singer’s first encounter with one of Rod Stewart’s family was his brother Don, who got in touch as the show was being performed at his local theatre.

“He brought his grandchildren along and said I was the best of all the tributes to his brother,’’ said Paul.

“Then I got a call from his sister Mary and I met her afterwards and she came again and again, so we are now on hugging terms.’’

Now Paul has his fingers crossed for a call from Rod Stewart himself.

The first half of the tribute is a musical journey through Rod’s life, from busking on the streets to superstar, with Paul narrating and singing songs from the star’s early career. The second half sets out to create the feel of a live concert. Paul’s band was pulled together by a chance meeting with keyboard player Rob Yeo.

“The musicians are amazing, we have a good vibe and get on well, both on and off stage,’’ said Paul, who wrote the show himself.

“I did a lot of research into Rod’s life and I wrote it with humour.’’

A passion for model railways is also shared by Paul and his musical hero.

“Rod has a special room for his model railway layout. I used to have one but it’s now in packing cases, but I still love trains, particularly steam,’’ he said.

The singer went to university in Newcastle to study Environmental Science, but he never used his degree because he began singing backing vocals in a band, and playing the drums.

He also spent time writing his own songs, one of which his band, The Forty-Fives, released as a single on Stiff Records.

“It was called Couldn’t Believe A Word and was Mike Reid’s Record of the Week. It was a great feeling hearing your own song on the radio, but the distribution didn’t work and it was voted worst selling ever, but it was our 15 minutes of fame,’’ said Paul.

In the 1980s he briefly got a proper job selling advertising space, and found himself working alongside a group of out of work actors and musicians.

“People kept telling me I looked like Rod Stewart so I did a tribute at a wedding, and since then spent the last 25 years in social clubs and weddings - being Rod,’’ said Paul.

Paul says that Baby Jane is the most difficult to sing but after years of honing his craft it has now become effortless.

“I even practised throwing the microphone around, but I did drop and break it once on stage,’’ he said.

Some Guys Have All The Luck The Rod Stewart Story is booked for tours of Europe, the USA and Australia and next month it comes to Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre on Thursday, September 6 at £7.30pm. Tickets are £26 from 01793 524481 or visit www.swindontheatares.co.uk - Flicky Harrison