Branson-alike does it by the (Face)book

JOHN BILLINGHAM turned heads as he strolled through the arrivals lounge at Shannon Airport yesterday. But the Richard Branson lookalike is used to the public attention he gets. English-born John, 53, who has a home in Killaloe, Co Clare, said: “People are all the time coming up to me and stopping me on the street.”

Now he has an opportunity to turn the resemblance to good use. He has been chosen with four other Branson lookalikes from around the world to take part in a Facebook voting competition to see who bears the closest resemblance to the founder of the Virgin empire.

John said: “Virgin has organised the lookalike competition as part of the company’s 25th anniversary. The winner and a friend will be brought to New York to take part in the big celebrations there being organised by Virgin.” He is hoping that his strong Irish links will help improve his vote.

John said: “As well as a home in Killaloe my mother is Kathleen Gleeson from Cappamore where the family is well-known in the cinema business.”

Like Branson, he has a love of flying and holds a pilot’s licence. “Once I get to Killaloe, I take to the lake in my power boat,” he said. If he wins the competition, he plans to take a good friend to New York. He said: “My best friend has been unwell with health problems and a trip to New York for the celebration would be a great tonic for him.”

To vote for John, people need to go to www.facebook.com/virginatlantic. Sign on to Facebook and become a fan of the Virgin site to vote in the final face-off for John.