IT takes a talented — and brave — performer to take on a Michael Jackson song.

But it is second nature to impersonator and lifelong fan Ben Bowman, who has helped to recreate an entire experience dedicated to the King of Pop for the stage show Jackson Live in Concert.

Complete with iconic glove, tipped hat and moonwalk, Ben is joined on the stage by an impressive group of musicians and dancers who work their way through all the hits including Beat It, Billie Jean, Bad, The Way You Make Me Feel — and of course, Thriller.

Ben, aged 29, said it is his dream job.

"I have been a Michael Jackson impersonator for about 10 years now but with this project we wanted to up our game and make the show as big as we could," he said. "I have been a fan for as far back as I can remember so this really is a dream for me. I have always looked up to him and played his records and watched his videos back to front.

"I think my big major obsession began after I saw him in concert in Wembley in 1993. Before then I didn't realise he was a real person and for him to perform like he did was unbelievable. I loved everything that he did."

Ben first began trying to impersonate Michael while he was at school.

He said: "I think my favourite era is Bad because it's the music I grew up with and I still think it's as incredible as it was. It's timeless. He was amazing at everything — in the studio, on the film set and on stage.

"I have always danced like him and once when I was in school someone said I sounded like him too. My first show was in a working men's club which sold out, and it went from there. It became a career almost overnight."

Ben had a unique way in which he learned how to moonwalk.

Ben said: "Before I joined Jackson Live, I had never worked with choreography so when I started it was quite hard. In the past I had improvised, so with the moonwalk I learned to do it during a night shift in a supermarket when there were no customers around. It's based on weight shifting so I would push off a wall behind the counter. I later found out that the day shift workers would watch me back on the CCTV."

Michael Jackson's career spanned over five decades before his death in 2009, in which he created a number of well loved dance routines.

Ben said: "Billie Jean is the first routine that I learnt, and I love performing it. It's all about the hat and the glove and of course the moonwalk. It takes me back to my childhood. It's amazing every time for me."

Jackson Live in Concert visits the Manchester Opera House on Wednesday, October 7. For tickets call 0844 871 3018.