Distressed relatives of Leominster’s ‘Singing Milkman’, best known for his impersonations of Elvis, are at pains to point out that rumours circulating around the town about his state of health this week have been seriously exaggerated.
Mike Holland, a local performer held in great affection in his hometown, is at present poorly in hospital at Hereford, but repeated messages of condolence have been very upsetting for relatives.
Mike’s brother Brian and sister-in-law Sarah Holland have received a number of calls from people wanting to offer their condolences to the family, having been led to believe that 61-year-old Mike, renowned in Leominster for his charity work, had died.
Mrs Holland told the Journal she was thinking about putting up a sign stating “Elvis is not dead”.
Mrs Holland pointed out that this rumour about Mike, a favourite local performer whose impersonations of Elvis have raised considerable sums of money for charity, was at present receiving care in hospital.
“What makes it even worse is that these rumours have come on the anniversary of Brian and Mike’s father’s death; this is sad enough without all this distress,” said Mrs Holland.
One man was “beside himself with grief” when he called Mike’s younger brother, Brian and his wife to offer his sympathy. “It’s horrendous, and so distressing, but Mike is alive,” said Mrs Holland. “He is poorly, though he’s been made comfortable in hospital in Hereford. We want the Journal to let people know that though he’s poorly, he’s very much alive.”
She continued: “Everybody knows Mike as Elvis, and he’s also done Cliff impersonations in the past too, I want to put a big sign outside my house saying: Elvis isn’t dead.”
Mrs Holland also believed that repeated calls from concerned friends and neighbours are causing problems for staff at the hospital.
Mrs Holland added: “Life is so precious, and you live every day as if it’s your last, but Mike is alive.”
The singer and entertainer has supported the Royal British Legion, Norfolk House and the Rainbow Club in the past, and he has also run karaoke nights at the Black Swan.
