THE EELS - THE EEL INVITES QUEEN LOOKALIKE TO UK SHOW

THE EELS frontman MARK 'E' EVERETT was devastated to learn British monarch Queen Elizabeth II could not attend his recent London gig - so he hired a lookalike instead. The singer invited the Queen to his show at the Royal Festival Hall on 25 February (08) - but was disappointed to receive a letter informing him it was "impossible" for the monarch to attend. Undeterred, Everett hired a Queen Elizabeth impersonator to sit in the venue's royal box throughout his performance - and insists she "loved the show". He says, "The Queen's Lady In Waiting sent me a letter informing me that it would be 'impossible' for the Queen to attend our show at Royal Festival Hall. This is the fourth time we've played Royal Festival Hall, and I was determined to see a queen sitting in the royal box this time. "So we got The Queen's lookalike and everyone on my staff and at the hall was instructed to play along and let me have my fantasy. It was truly a thrill to have The Queen in attendance. And she loved the show, by the way."