A PETER Andre look-alike from Didcot has told how he snuck into the sleeping celebrity’s mansion in the dead of night for a prank watched by millions.
Craig Waldron has recounted his ‘surreal’ second appearance on national television, in which he crept into Peter Andre’s Surrey home with a camera crew before beating the singer in a bedside arm wrestle.
The 36-year-old sales manager was a guest on the Midnight Gameshow section of Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, BBC One’s primetime Saturday night billing.
Father-of-two Mr Waldron was headhunted by producers to surprise the Mysterious Girl singer, as he occasionally works as a Peter Andre lookalike.
ALSO READ: Peter Andre lookalike from Didcot hits television screens in Coronation Street
He said: "It was the most surreal experience, walking into a room and seeing The Beast from The Chase, H from Steps, Richard Arnold and Greek dancers [who were also gameshow guests]. It was like a weird dream. I thought, 'this is madness'.
“We all went in convoy from a hotel to his house, creeping around the street and sneaking around like kids, laughing and giggling. It was just crazy, the whole thing was ridiculous.”
Mr Waldron was paid for the television appearance but has donated the undisclosed fee to East Oxford children’s hospice Helen & Douglas House, and has pledged to do the same for any other fees that come from future lookalike work.
He has also set up a monthly direct debit payment to support the Magdalen Road charity, as he said he was ‘blown away’ after visiting the hospice for a work meeting.
He added: "The lookalike stuff has only ever been for a bit of fun but it's nice to know that I am making a fool of myself for a great cause.”
The Midnight Gameshow sees an unsuspecting star, sometimes a celebrity, awoken by a camera crew and Michael McIntyre in the middle of the night to take part in a surprise quiz.
Players are usually set up by their partner and answer questions or take part in challenges involving guests, who arrive at the house in convoy with the host while the star player is blissfully unaware in bed.
ALSO READ: Amazon Prime's Grand Tour team filming in Oxfordshire again
Peter Andre’s episode, which aired on January 5, saw the bleary-eyed singer take part in an arm wrestle with his doppelgänger, who had been decked out in fake tan and tattoos.
Mr Waldron admitted it was strange to meet his lookalike in person but said he was ‘absolutely lovely’.
He said: “Afterwards he came downstairs and offered everyone cups of tea and coffee. It was so surreal, having a cup of tea in Peter Andre's kitchen.”
Mr Waldron’s sons Leo, five and Jamie, two, were among the millions of viewers who tuned in to watch.
He said: "My two-year-old was just shouting 'Daddy, Daddy!' and my five-year-old said 'Daddy, why are you so orange?'”
Mr Waldron first started casual lookalike work in 2011, after his brother sent off his picture to an agency.
He has since appeared in Heat Magazine, National Press and Coronation Street, but his full-time job is as a sales manager.
ALSO READ: Oxford filming wraps on first BBC series of His Dark Materials
Explaining why he chose to support Helen & Douglas House, he said: "I was shown around and enlightened to the amazing care and facilities available for children and their parents.
"Every staff member I saw had a smile on their face and every staff member I spoke to was welcoming and polite.
"I walked away thinking 'this place is incredible', everything about what they do. I've got kids so knowing there's a charity to help [families] having to go through something like that is just amazing."
Hazel Bedford, director of fundraising and marketing at the hospice, said: "We are so grateful for wonderful supporters like Craig helping us raise the profile of our charity and making a regular monthly donation.
"We need to raise £3m a year to care for local terminally ill children and their families and cannot do this without amazing supporters like Craig giving regular donations."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel