Frank Sinatra is like an old jacket I put on," says Louis Hoover, co-founder and star of The Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas.

"Of course I have to switch the accent, but the rest comes naturally. And I like to think that after all these years, you can now hardly see the join."

Hoover, 45, is on the way to a national newspaper photoshoot when I catch up with him in the car.

Chatting to me hands-free, while struggling to listen to his satnav system, it's hard to believe that this is one of the world's most famous Sinatra soundalikes. His voice is British, ordinary. Far removed from the Jack Daniel's-oiled drawl of Ol' Blue Eyes.

But this is a man described as "simply cool" by music critics. Who has played to sold-out audiences, the world over, both as lead singer with Wall Street Crash and with his own tribute show, Salute to Sinatra, and the man who is bringing Sinatra and his Rat Pack to Oxford's New Theatre from June 15-17.

"When everyone was listening to Tamla and Roxy Music in the 70s, I was too, but I was also listening to Tony Bennett and Sinatra," he says.

"I started singing as a tribute to Frank in my late teens. I got a reputation that grew and he has been part of my life ever since."

Hoover's own successful show, A Tribute to Sinatra, and solo recording career, led to the meeting with Fly Music that resulted in the birth of The Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas. Four years on, the show is still wowing audiences in the West End, and Hoover and the rest of the crew are now taking the production across the UK and Europe.

"Sinatra wasn't only famous in his own right. When with pals Sammy Davis Jr and Dean Martin, they became the Rat Pack the hippest, coolest cats around," he says.

"The epitome of style, they were inseparable friends as well as being superb entertainers with voices to match."

Sammy Davis Jr, inset right, the performer's performer was the first black man to gain mainstream acclaim, and was legendary for his enthusiasm to tread the boards. Dean Martin, also inset, who died on Christmas Day 1995, was the definitive American performer for more than 50 years.

Filming Ocean's Eleven by day, the guys would play two shows at the Sands resort in Vegas by night, crooning, quipping and boozing their way through performances that were all about having a good time.

Tickets were like gold dust, and stars would travel from all over to be there it wasn't unusual to see Gregory Peck, Cary Grant, Marilyn Monroe and even JFK in the audience.

And this golden era of glamorous Las Vegas nights, when ladies sparkled in glorious gowns, and men looked suavely sophisticated in lounge suits, is what the Rat Pack Live in Las Vegas recreates.

"We have our own 15-piece orchestra, we have the gags, the high jinks, the dancing and, of course, all that fabulous music," says Hoover. That music includes greats like My Kinda Town, Sway, That's Amore, Fly me To the Moon, New York New York, and of course, My Way.

Asked which song is the toughest to sing, Hoover doesn't hesitate: My Way.

"Of course singing any of Sinatra's songs is a huge responsibility, and if the fans didn't like how you did it, they'd tell you!", he adds.

"But My Way especially, if it isn't sung well, can be horrible."

Last week the show was in Manchester, playing to sold-out venues for three nights.

"The crowds have been amazing," says Hoover. "But what is most amazing for me, is looking out to the audience and seeing faces ranging from eight to 80, singing along to all these songs.

"Obviously a lot of people who come to see the show are fans of this music. But I think a lot of people who come out of curiosity are astounded by just how many of these songs are in their sub-conscious.

"They've picked them up through the TV, and radio and now even adverts, and pretty soon they're singing along, laughing at the jokes and having a great time."

Our interview at an end, Hoover's satnav has got him to his destination and he prepares to don Sinatra's 'jacket' for the cameras.

"Hopefully see you in Oxford," he says. "Pop backstage and say hello to me and the guys."

He's right you can hardly see the join.

The Rat Pack is at the New Theatre in Oxford from June 15-17.

Box Office: 0870 606 3500