Attendees of the Henley regatta may have been surprised to see Elvis impersonator Martyn Dias entertaining crowds on the water at the event synonymous with the English social season.

Alongside crews competing in the heats to qualify for this weekend’s finals, Mr Dias performed along the length of the river for five hours straight.

The Jewish musician, known as “Elvis Shmelvis”, said: “I think it is safe to say I stood out like a sore thumb.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39t0LhqSI9w&feature=youtu.be

Mr Dias was stop twice by police, who warned him his singing was obstructing the rowers from hearing their instructors’ directions.

The course is two kilometres long and straddles Buckinghamshire and Berkshire on either side of the Thames.

The 55-year-old from St Albans, in Hertfordshire, said: “It was fine we didn’t get arrested. It was great fun.”

When he was asked by a band with their own boat to front their efforts, he said: “Why not? I’ve never done anything like it before. I loved it. We rowed right through Henley singing Elvis songs.

“People sang along and took photos. It was great.”

The Elvis impersonator said: “The boat had no sides, so we could quite easily have fallen in the water. I loved seeing all the posh ladies in their dresses and singing along. Everyone loves Elvis don’t they?”

This year’s regatta includes almost 600 crews.