A refugee who fled persecution and went on to become a successful Michael Jackson impersonator is hoping to raise £1.5m to build a live entertainment venue for street performers. 

Electrician, singer-songwriter and peace activist, Papy Elungu, changed his name by deed poll to Michael Jackson in 2010 following a "spiritual vision" by his childhood idol in his sleep. 

He describes himself as the Prince of Pop and believes he is the rightful heir to the King of Pop who passed away in 2009. 

The 38-year-old, formerly of Lockwood Close in Chingford, moved to the UK in 2002 after his parents were shot dead by rebel forces in his family home in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

Within six months of arriving in the UK, he was granted refugee status and has spent the last 13 years producing music, working as an electrical engineer and entertaining the public through street performances and private function as a Michael Jackson impersonator. 

He said: "I fled persecution and lost a lot of my family through conflict and war, including both my parents. 

"My father was a military officer in President Mobuto's regime who had been overthrown and anyone affiliated with his past was being gunned down from city to city. 

"Throughout my childhood in Africa, I listened to Michael Jackson. He was the only artist I ever knew and loved. 

"When my marriage split up in 2009 and he died, I thought 'now I have to take over his legacy as the King of Pop' and that is what I have been doing ever since."

He says he can focus on his new project after recently being paid out for a head, neck and back injury at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich when a ceiling collapsed on him following a flood in an operating theatre. 

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In February, he released his own debut single 'Turn on the Candle' under his stage name Papy Jackson as he cannot use his legal name due to trademark. 

Now, he is hoping to take his shows and career to the next level by opening a live entertainment theatre called Showland Theatre. 

His aim is to buy an empty property in either Enfield Lock or in Dartford, Essex, and develop it into a performance arena with a main stage full of light illusions and other magic tricks. 

"This is not a project to build a replica of Neverland but a place for amazing live shows by talented street performers and artists who will be paid for their work," he added.

"As artists all we dream is to be on a stage and have a producer. 

"This is will be a life-changing opportunity as I will rescue street performers and give them a proper salary." 

He has set himself a target of £1,500,000 to raise between now and December and any income from sales of his single on Amazon and iTunes will also go towards the project. 

Mr Jackson performing to 'Smooth Criminal' at a wedding in May 

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The singer, songwriter and performer getting ready for a show