Johnny Depp popped into our newsroom yesterday...well okay, not Johnny Depp exactly but his double, Mel Massy.
It had the same effect on the ladies anyway, who were keen to have photos with him.  | | The 'real' Johnny |
Mel, real name Carmello, is a 34-year-old from Slough who has looked like Johnny Depp since 15. Now, 19 years on, he has earned an award as the Hollywood heart-throb's doppelganger - being voted 'Sexiest Male' no less in the 'Stars and their Doubles' awards on Saturday 10th January. Of course we simply had to bring him into BBC Berkshire for an interview.  | | Mel Massy |
It all started when Johnny Depp was an aspiring actor in Nightmare on Elm Street and 21 Jump Street. Mel was just 15-years-old (Johnny was 21) but already people noted he had the Depp look. Now he gets stopped everywhere. Even in the Slough Tesco's - as if Johhny Depp would shop there!  | | He knows the poses! |
It is in London though that he gets the most attention.
Mel said: "I went to London to see if I could fool people and one time I was sitting outside a café and one woman suddenly turned into eight women."
He added: "I've also had a few girls screaming and chasing me down the street."  | | Radio Berkshire newsreader Sarah Burbedge with Johnny...errrr Mel. |
Even when he speaks in an English accent and declares he isn't Johnny people think it's the Hollywood actor who is just trying to dupe them. Despite fooling lots of people, Mel still needs more confidence before he would dare act as Johnny to get into VIP areas. His main drive anyway is to promote his rock band, Confuzin' Jack, who have attracted quite a few fans because of the Johnny Depp frontman.  | | Definitely a double-take required here. |
"Even when I'm touring with my band in places like Kidderminster, somewhere were Johnny Depp would never go, people still want a photo with me!" he said. Mel is signed to a number of lookie-likie agencies and hopes to get work as Depp's double. He certainly isn't sick of being compared to the hunk.
He said: "It's kind of cool. Johnny Depp ain't no ugly dude is he!" | 
