A Boy George impersonator has trained to be a carer after his gigs were cancelled during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Singer Liam Halewood was living on benefits during the coronavirus crisis but now he's working with the elderly.
The 34-year-old performer, who specialises as a Boy George impersonator, performed on Canal Street and in social clubs across Manchester until the first national lockdown last spring meant his work dried up.
He's now using his singing talents to entertain people while he cares for them in their homes.
Liam, who works for Alcedo Care, sings as himself rather than as Boy George for the elderly.
"I started working in care two weeks ago and I absolutely love it, he told us.
"I urge other people to get applying because people really need us now more than ever to take care and entertain them.
"I've performed before in nursing homes and I use singing to put them at ease. I'm 6ft1in so I have to go in as a gentle giant.
"An audience is an audience to me."
Liam, who has been singing since he was 18, trained to make ends meet after a friend told him he'd be perfect to work in the care sector.
He can’t wait to take to the stage again when things improve but he'll also be sticking with his job as a carer.
"I'll keep this job as well," he said.
"It's one of my passions. I fell in love with it.
"My brothers and sisters are in the care sector."
Liam, who was forced to sign up for universal credit after the hospitality industry took a knock, has also started his own clothing business called Hiya Luv.
He says he 'went into a bit of depression' after lockdown was imposed in March 2020.
"We feel like we've lost our sparkle," he said.
"People think we live a rosy life and all that jazz but it's not the case for some of us.
"I don't have lots of savings in the bank and then bang the pandemic happened. Some of us are c**p with money.
"I never thought that rainy day when it came would be you can't see your family because it's against the law.
"Previously it was going fantastic.
"I had rave reviews and was booked into Pride events. I was booked as Liam and Boy George."
Liam is now calling for the government to show more support for the hospitality industry.
“I wish the goverment would stop with all the negative now and give us some hope and some happiness, which I provide in my line of work," he said.
“Also I would like to to give a big shout out to people who have to survive on benefits day in, day out.
"I definitely tip my hat to them”
Liam is one of the 'Bargain Brits' featured in the money-saving show Bargain Brits on Benefits which celebrates the savvy folk that have made little money go far during the pandemic.
One way was turning to fakeaways, rather than takeaways, which saved him £100 a week after teaching himself to cook.
The show is screened on the channel 5star at 9pm on Mondays and Liam's episode, screened on February 2, is available on catch-up on My5.
