BREAM resident Gordon Elsmore has stepped into big shoes to become part of one of the UK’s most popular Fab Four tribute bands.

Gordon, who grew up in Coleford, joined the Bootleg Beatles 18 months ago as drummer; following in the footsteps of Ringo Starr.

The band is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the release of the album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band this summer by performing the entire album with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

Gordon said: “The Bootleg Beatles were founded 36 years ago as a result of the hit 1980 West End show Beatle Mania. They really came to prominence when they did Glastonbury in 1995 and supported Oasis at Knebworth the following year.

“I’ve always been a Beatles fan and I’d been performing in the West End show Let It Be. I’d performed with all the current members of the band, so when they asked me to join them it was an easy decision to make.

“We do two UK tours a year in December and April as well as touring Europe and the Far East. It’s great doing really big shows and travelling. There’s really not much bad about it, apart from being away from my young family.”

The band usually works with its own small orchestra, so playing with a 60-piece orchestra is a new experience according to Gordon, who added: “We played the Royal Albert Hall last Thursday and The Times gave us a five star review.”

The band is also playing the Pyramid Stage and Acoustic Stage at Glastonbury Festival.