IT'S Now Or Never for a York Elvis impersonator who is within sight of winning a national competition.

Neil Wood could be playing The King live on stage next year, if he is picked out from a final 12 hopefuls.

The 32-year-old from Bishopthorpe has already beaten off thousands of sound-alikes to win through to the finals of a competition organised by breakfast programme GMTV.

It is looking for a special Elvis to star in a 30-date national arena tour, finishing at Wembley Arena, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the rock star's death.

Neil will now have to go through a tough audition process, which could even see him holed up in a Popstars-style house.

If he wins through, the final four will be chosen in a public vote, early next year. For Neil, a policeman by day, it has been a tough ordeal - but a potential dream come true.

He said: "I have only been impersonating Elvis for two or three years. I saw the advert for this competition on the television and I thought, I will have a bash.

"Now I am down to the last 12. I have to go through another audition which will break it down to the last four.

"Then you get put in a Popstars-style house where you are given voice coaching before the public vote.

"There is still a long way to go, but I am very excited about the prospect and am looking forward to the other auditions. I would be delighted to win. It's the chance of a lifetime."

Neil will also be appearing at New Earswick Folk Hall in a sold-out concert to raise cash for the victims of the terrorist atrocities in America, held on Friday and Saturday.

Updated: 11:58 Wednesday, November 28, 2001