YOU’VE got to have faith that life puts you on the right track.

And that was certainly the case for Joseph Sansome who went from being a design consultant to a George Michael tribute. Joseph has been a fan of the late artist since the Wham days when he used to collect the albums on vinyl.

His love of George’s music endured while working for the likes of Warner Bros and Levi but it was only when he started to do karaoke in his spare time that people realised he sounded just like him too.

He said: “I’ve been in various bands all my life but when I sang Careless Whispers at karaoke they thought I was miming to the actual track. That’s where it all started. I was spotted by an agency and then I started singing George Michael songs at a restaurant and then I was spotted by a talent scout.

“I was doing it part time to start with. I was balancing my time between that and working as a design consultant for the likes of Warner Bros and Levi. I used to design windows in Regent Street in London.”

Around 20 years have passed since but Joseph’s career went to another level when George died in 2016. The current tribute production, Fastlove, which is coming to the Parr Hall on January 25, started in September 2017.

Playing to crowds ranging from 500 to 12,000, the show is a hit around the world. Even the promotional video for the tour went viral with more than one million views.

Joseph added: “At the end of the day we’re just trying to keep George’s music alive and do him proud. I just try to be as authentic as I can and I seem to be accepted really well by the fans wherever I go so I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Fastlove is one of the biggest tribute productions on the circuit with Joseph joined by a full complement of backing dancers.

He added: “It wasn’t a case of just doing it after George died.

“It’s something I’ve always been doing – but not on this scale. I’ve gone from hotels to theatres and arenas so it’s a totally different thing.

“People wanted to still hear something that related to George and we’ve won over fans by doing that respectfully and humbly. I’m going to Denmark and Sweden at the end of this month but we’ve also been to the Netherlands, Germany and Australia. We’re looking to take it to America in autumn next year. For me George is up there with the greats like Paul McCartney. Sadly I didn’t get to meet George but, according to a fan club, I was endorsed by him.

“One of my clips of Jesus to a Child was passed on to him and he sent his massive approval which is good enough for me.”

Joseph said he loves his job but it takes sacrifice too. He is on the road constantly and his tour dates will take up more than half of the year.

He said: “It will be full on. It was last year when we did about 200 shows. I go home as often as I can but a lot of the time I’m living in hotels. I have two sons and I have them on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday but I don’t have any social life.

“Fastlove is my life.”

Fastlove is at Parr Hall on January 25. Visit pyramidparrhall.com