I’m Britain’s number one Elvis fan – I’ve been obsessed with him since I was five and will cry when I see his grave

WHEN it comes to Elvis fans we can’t help but fall in love with Freddie Rossi-Parish.

He started listening to the King as a child at his grandparents’ house, inspired by their singing hound dog toy, and now he’s been crowned The Sun on Sunday’s ultimate Elvis fan.

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The 31-year-old was completely devastated when we called him to say he had billed us for our £10,000 holiday of a lifetime in Memphis, Tennessee.

Freddie, a sports and leisure manager then at Victoria Station in London, said: “I’m jumping up and down – people are staring at me. I’m so, so happy I won, I’m shocked.

“Going to Memphis has always been on my wish list. I wanted to go when I turned 30 but because of Covid I couldn’t.

“When I get to Graceland and see Elvis’ grave, I think I’m going to burst into tears.”

Freddie has been addicted to the legendary crooner since he first heard his grandparents’ Elvis toy dog ​​yell “You’re nothing but a hound” when the button was pressed.

Single Freddie from Sutton, South London was known as an ‘Elvis fan’ throughout his school days and would go around singing his favorite songs.

A role as Elvis was even written for him in a school Christmas play.

He has attended Elvis conventions, events and concerts across the UK as well as in Benidorm and Vegas and his Elvis Spotify playlist lasts 13 hours.

Freddie said: “A lot of people are surprised when they hear that I’m into Elvis. My party trick is to ask, “What’s your favorite Elvis song?” and I start singing it.”

Our judges, led by avid Elvis fan Vernon Kay, got to work after receiving entries for our search for Best Elvis Fan or Tribute Artist

Vernon, 48, said: “Freddie is a fantastic winner. I’m not surprised that the response to this competition was huge.

“It’s an amazing journey down memory lane. You can’t help but get swept up in Elvis fever in Memphis, and any chance to visit all things Elvis in his hometown is a dream come true.

“Elvis died in 1977. He was only 42 years old. But it’s still a pleasure to listen to and it’s great to keep his music alive.”

Freddie certainly embodies the music icon’s love for family as he will be taking his sister Polly, 21, with him on his VIP trip.

The couple will take off thanks to netflights.com, which compares budget-friendly flights to destinations around the world.

A spokesman for the site said: “Well done Freddie! We are very happy to send you to Memphis. We hope your journey has completely rocked you with Burning Love. Don’t forget to pack your blue suede shoes!”

There, the couple will take part in a Graceland Ultimate VIP Tour, visiting Elvis’ mansion, with full access to Elvis Presley’s Memphis Entertainment Complex.

They also get free tickets to the Hound Dog Tour, an energetic concert and a sightseeing tour.

A spokesman for price providers memphistravel.com and tupelo.net said, “Freddie will be following in Elvis’ footsteps, from his first home in Tupelo to Sun Studio, where it all began, and his final resting place at his beloved Graceland.”

Freddie will also be able to record his own track courtesy of music producer Glenn Keiles.

Last night Glenn said: “What a worthy winner. I’m really looking forward to working with him in the studio and recording his favorite Elvis track.”

But Freddie should watch out for Vernon and make sure he doesn’t get too tempted in the gift shop.

The TV presenter recalled: “I left the Elvis gift shop with an Elvis phone, some trinkets and a china mug with Elvis’ face on it. I spent a fortune it’s an amazing experience.”

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