Small shoes to fill: Napoleon lookalike wanted

IT IS one of the world’s most unusual job vacancies. The remote South Atlantic island of St Helena is seeking a short “male person willing to act as a Napoleon [Bonaparte] impersonator”.

An ability to speak French is not required for the temporary post. It is unpaid, but tailor-made breeches, boots and a bicorne hat will be provided.

The job advertisement specifies that the successful candidate “will be expected to act as an ambassador for St Helena”, a British overseas territory where Napoleon died in May 1821 after he was exiled there.

He must be “well-presented and have the ability to engage with individuals at all levels, especially dignitaries”, at events over the next two years marking the 200th anniversary of Napoleon’s death.

Sophia Joshua, St Helena’s tourism officer, said the post would ideally be filled by someone local.

“We’re looking for someone on the island who will do this on an ad hoc and voluntary basis. The advert only went out yesterday so we’re waiting to see what kind of interest we get.

“We already have the tailor-made suit because we had a Napoleon impersonator and it was made for him, but he has since left the island so we’re looking for a replacement.”