Endorsed by Mick Fleetwood himself, a tribute band that has been going from strength to strength for 14 years are riding high.

Rumours of Fleetwood Mac was amazingly, conceived by a team of session musicians after recording an advert for American root beer.

Asked to ape the style of 80’s rockers Heart, on playback instead was the sound of Fleetwood Mac and the idea of a tribute act was formed.

Allan Cosgrove, who co-promotes the show as well as acting as drummer Mick Fleetwood, said: "To be honest, if you’d asked me back then my opinion of tribute acts I would have said, 'what, those plagiarisers?'

"All of us had careers in our own right and I had played with Mick Fleetwood in the 70’s so I decided to get in touch and see what he thought.

"If we hadn’t got that endorsement, Rumours would never have happened, but he gave us the thumbs up."

Such was Mick’s support, he has even joined the band to play on numerous occasions.

Since their surprise beginning, the band has performed across the globe, recreating the innovative sounds of one of the world’s most recognisable bands.

Audiences range from mums and dads to those in their twenties brought up on the sounds of 'The Mac', as well as those discovering the band for the first time.

Cosgrove said: "The music of groups like Fleetwood Mac formed the bedrock for so much music around today.

"We often have young guys come up to us after the show saying they are starting out and asking for advice."

With a back catalogue of three decades of music to pick from the Rumours team, who alongside Cosgrove comprise Louise Rogan (lead vocals) Amanda Kostadinov keyboards, Alan Hughes, lead guitar, Dave Goldberg, guitar keyboard and vocals, James Harrison, bass and Ben Hughes, also on vocals guitar and bass.

Cosgrove says: "The show does exactly what the poster says – greatest hits. We don’t try and be too clever or conceptualize – most of our listeners are Greatest Hits fans and I don’t see the point of throwing in odd b-sides no-one has heard of.

Rumours of Fleetwood Mac, Fairfield Halls, Park Lane, Croydon, Saturday May 5, tickets cost £22.50