A REVEREND says he has been left all shook up by his experience of performing on a national television talent show.

Revd Andy Kelso, chaplain to the Worcester Warriors rugby team and long-time Elvis Presley impersonator, said he was left feeling humiliated after he was invited to audition for ITV's Britain's Got Talent.

After he was spotted by producers performing as Elvis in Austria in early December, Revd Kelso said he was invited along to audition for the show, which he did earlier this month.

"I went along to Birmingham Hippodrome and had many interviews with the crew before I went on stage," Revd Kelso, who lives near Pershore, said.

"The crew seemed very interested in what I do, and were very nice, and eventually I got to meet Ant and Dec, who were lovely and genuine. My time to perform eventually came about at 11.15pm, after I had been waiting around for 10 hours. I was second to last on stage, and while I was waiting I noticed quite a few people come off stage crying. I started to get a bad feeling about it.

"As soon as I went on stage in my Elvis 'fireworks' costume the judges started mocking me, mainly about the Reverend side of things, which I wasn't expecting. They asked me why I do what I do and I said I felt it was a calling from God, and they said 'Did God sound like Simon Cowell?', and I replied 'No, he doesn't'. The audience were going along with the judges, laughing at me. I just felt it wasn't fair at all. I almost walked straight off stage but I thought, I'm here now. I got about 25 seconds in to All Shook Up before Simon Cowell pressed his buzzer and said 'God says no'. I said 'No he doesn't' and walked off. I was so angry. In hindsight I should have seen it coming but I didn't. I was upset for a few days before I got over it, but I imagine it must be destroying for a young person who gets that kind of treatment. It was humiliating and a nightmare."

Although Revd Kelso says he has been put off TV appearances, he has no intention of giving up his tribute to the King.

"A few days after the audition, I actually received an invitation to return to Belfast, where I went last year, to perform at two concerts in May. This gave me a boost and I'm looking forward to it. I guess I've just learned the hard way about how shallow some people can be."

The show will return in the spring.