A Gateshead-based Bruno Mars impersonator who once appeared on American Idol has been declared bankrupt.
Jeff Dingle's mimicry of the '24K Magic' star landed him a slot on the BBC show Even Better Than The Real Thing, a show featuring tribute acts described as "quite simply the very best in the game".
However, despite his success Mr Dingle - who still performs as the 'Millionaire' star around the North East - declared bankrupt at the County Court in Central London.
Public documents show the petition was filed back in May before being rubber-stamped on July 23, days Mr Dingle played a gig at Flamingo Land.
Confirming the order, an Insolvency Service official added: "As a bankrupt, Jeffrey Dingle is now subject to a range of restrictions that last for a year from the date the order was made."
Records show the order will be discharged next July.
The notice lists the 39-year-old entertainer's address as a plush part of Gateshead and his occupation as a "a self-employed tribute act singer".
ChronicleLive contacted Mr Dingle, who has over 5,000 Facebook followers, several times but he failed to respond to a request for comment.
He first performed professionally as Bruno back in 2013.
A description on Mr Dingle's website said: "He looks like him, sounds like him and has the moves to match."
But it was his appearance on American Idol in 2004 which "made him an overnight global star" according to his website.
And on his Twitter, it states he is the "UK's Official No. 1 Bruno Mars Tribute Act".
