This photograph belongs to a series called The Kings Of England which I’ve worked on since 2013.

Four years into the project I’d photographed lots of middle aged men whose love of Elvis Presley is understandable. Yet amongst the tenor voices and spreading midriffs, I’d seen a few kids up on stage belting out ‘Suspicious Minds’ with incredible gusto.

One of these was Alfie Pearson who I’d met at an Elvis competition in Barnsley the previous year. Alfie was obsessed with the Elvis tribute scene. He stood at the side of the stage handing scarves to the ETA’s (Elvis Tribute Artists) just like Charlie Hodge did for the King in Vegas in the seventies. Everyone knew Alfie and Alfie knew everyone.

I spoke to his Mum Steph who told me how he’s been viciously bullied and how he’s escaped into Elvis and wanted to go pro when he was old enough. When I found out that his Dad, Dave had a serious health condition which could result in a trip to A & E at any time of night or day, I figured Alfie had a lot on his plate for a 13 year old. And yet when he was on stage, all his troubles disappeared, leaving behind a confident, joyous lad who loved to entertain. Soon after he won the coveted “King Of The Cabin” award at Porthcawl Elvis festival and the bullying began to stop. Alfie began to be seen in newspapers and on TV, he’d become “Somebody”.

I arranged to meet Alfie at his home in East Yorkshire and the light was disappearing as I pulled up. Alfie met me, already dressed in his red jumpsuit. I pulled the camera out of the bag and asked him to stand in the last sliver of sunlight. This portrait was the third shot on the roll.

When I pressed the shutter, I knew it would be my cover picture. When I saw the print, I almost cried.  I love his confidence, standing on the lawn of his house and looking to his future. Almost a man, but happily still a child, loved and cherished by a proud Mum and Dad.

This image is included in the photobook “The Kings Of England” published by Bluecoat Press, summer 2018.