It took some time for the gasping guests to realise that the event was the annual outing for Britain's top lookalikes, organised yesterday by the Apne Indian restaurant in Burton- on-Trent, Staffordshire.

Diners were stunned to see Spears feeding Cowell onion bhajis - before whacking him when he pinched one too many.

Cowell's double Andrew Monk, 52, was once chosen by the music mogul as his favourite lookalike, while Spears impersonator Michaela Weeks, 27, has received recognition on the singer's website, Daily Mail reported today.

The pair were joined by Luciano Pavarotti, or 60-year-old Colin Miller, who earns up to 1,000 pounds a week impersonating the late Italian opera singer, and Elton John, who is actually known as Nigel Merritt, 44, but has become so popular as a lookalike that he is even releasing an album of his own.

The US first lady Michelle Obama was impersonated by 46- year-old Dionne Rose, 46, who was seated next to Pavarotti.

"It was astonishing and everyone in the restaurant gasped until they both started laughing and explained they were lookalikes," a guest said.

"It was hilarious but they really did have everyone fooled. People had their mobile phones out filming it thinking they'd got a big celebrity scoop," the guest said.
Meanwhile, the lookalike group, led by Colin Miller, will compete in the global lookalike contest 'Reel Awards' in Las Vegas on February 21 next year.

"We are all looking to fly out to Las Vegas to take part in an annual convention for look-a-likes. Every year, Americans romp away with the awards. We want to go out there to fly the flag for Britain," he said.

"Americans like to come first and it is our plan to get a good number of lookalikes together and go over and take part," the Pavarotti lookalike said.

"It will be a bit like the British Olympic team but for impersonators. We are in touch with a public relations guy and we are putting a package together," he added.