It's not all glitz and glamour when you spend your life on the stage. Sandstorms, war zones and jetlag can all be part of a 36-hour shift for a man who plays Bee Gee Robin Gibb. Reporter Louise Tweddell talked to Thank You For The Music's Martin Spooner and found out what it's like to lead a double life ...

Sheltering under a bus stand to dodge the rain, Martin Spooner enthuses about his job: "I love it. For the past eight years I have been travelling all over the world singing Bee Gees songs."

The 29-year-old tours with Thank You For The Music, an Abba and Bee Gees spectacular featuring performances of all their favourite hits.

"I've been to Europe and the Middle East. There are not many jobs where you can do that."

Martin adds: "It's fantastic playing Robin, obviously because he is the best-looking brother.

"Seriously though, I like the fact I have this sort of double life. When I'm on stage I'm this whole different person but then I can just walk away.

"I can't imagine what it would be like to be as famous as the brothers. I am quite glad I can get some privacy."

The Suffolk-born performer began his career singing with his dad's band at the age of four and always wanted to be a star.

But Martin never imagined he would one day play to 5,000 paratroopers in the Iraqi desert.

"We flew in just after they declared war was over and were the first western entertainers in the country for 30 years. We even got there before Tony Blair.

"There we were, dancing away in white suits, sweltering in 49-degree sunshine and then there was a sandstorm.

"We were caked in sand but we just had to keep on going. It's moments like that which make the long hours and travelling all worthwhile. It was a very humbling experience."

But it's not just the big moments which Martin remembers.

"Sometimes the smaller shows are the best. If you get an audience of 500 and they all come dressed up and start to sing and dance it's fantastic.

"We have a really strong fan base who came back and see us year after year. Even though the show had to change it's name to Thank You for the Music for legal reasons, we are pulling in as many crowds as ever."

Although Martin knows all about the British-born Gibb brothers, he has never met the Bee Gees but still hopes for an invite to their American studio.

"They must know we exist because they get royalties from the show. It would be fantastic to go to their studio, Middle Ear, in Miami.

"I am a songwriter so it is good to play someone who shares my passion for music. I would like to think they are happy with what we do."

But for anyone who was thinking it's an easy life think again.

"I put a lot of effort into getting my performance right and spend hours practising my harmonies.

"We do 150 shows a year and spend at least another 100 days travelling.

"Sometimes I can be awake for 36 hours. It takes a lot of energy and you have to be very fit. That said, I would not swap my job for anything."

Thank You For The Music, The Orchard Theatre, Home Gardens, Dartford, Saturday, 7.45pm. Tickets cost from £17.50. Call 01322 220000.