Donald Trump impersonator to tour as demand soars

Mike Osman said perfecting Donald Trump's mannerisms has taken years

A comedian who impersonates Donald Trump has said he has seen a 30-40% increase in bookings since he was re-elected as president in November.

Mike Osman, 65, from Southampton, said 2025 will, without question, be his busiest year.

While Trump will be busy running America, Mr Osman is planning a tour as his alter ego, Donald Trumped, in the autumn.

Before the election Mr Osman was almost ready to retire his blonde wig and fake tan but Trump's return to the White House has inspired him to carry on.

Mr Osman, who grew up on a council estate in Millbrook, said the day after Trump was elected his phone did not stop: "not only from people wanting to book me, but also messages from people I hadn't seen for years, saying 'congratulations, Mr President, well done Mr President'."

Mr Osman was not surprised by Trump's re-election and while he "does not get political", he appreciates the 45th US president providing him with four more years of work and the income to allow him to then retire.

Mike Osman regularly has his wig re-styled and updated

Mr Osman has been studying the president's mannerisms for years, launching his act in 2016 and describes himself as the UK's number one Trump impersonator.

The impressionist wears a designer hairpiece but said that had proved slightly tricky recently due to the president sporting a new hairdo.

"In the last two weeks, his hairstyle has changed dramatically," he said. "We had (the wig) completely re-styled and refreshed because you've got to look like him."

But the most important part of impersonating Donald, he said, was replicating his eyes and mouth.

He has analysed a lot of videos of Donald Trump and said he watched the inauguration on Monday to "soak it up".

"I wanted to get even more Donaldified," he added. "It was a huge day for me to sit and watch him, because I want people to believe that I am him."