STEVE White is instantly likeable.

Because he plays the role of Paul McCartney in the Bootleg Beatles you would perhaps expect him to do nothing but sing the praises of the legend.

Not quite. He does indeed love McCartney’s musical legacy. But he can also point out the star’s little idiosyncracies.

The musician, who has studied McCartney personality, watching hundreds of hours of film on YouTube, acknowledges what we’ve all long thought.

Paul McCartney isn’t quite as funny as he thinks he is.

“One of the key character notes I’ve picked up is that Paul isn’t essentially a funny guy,” says Steve who is coming to Glasgow with the band for their annual Christmas reminder of how great the Fab Four truly were.

“He tries to come across as funny on stage, but he’s more laughed at than laughed with.

“And I find that really endearing part of him. Even if you watch him now you think ‘What are you doing?’ but it’s quite a sweet characteristic to have.”

Steve didn’t plan to become Paul. The Mansfield-born guitarist played in a sixties covers band before the group were asked to play more and more Beatles material.

“But as I walked into the gigs people said to me ‘You must be playing Paul,’ and so I switched with the bass player.”

And it made sense. Steve bears more than a passing resemblance to Macca. And he can sing in the same keys, with a voice tone that’s very similar.

Yet, there was something about his performance that didn’t quite gel.

Steve learned how to play the bass. But he’s naturally right handed. And as any guitar player will know, training the brain to switch from right to left would be like asking Cliff Richard to sing Iron Maiden songs while performing ritual sacrifice.

“But I was asked about the left-handed thing so many times I thought ‘I’ll have a go.’ But it seemed impossible at first. Some of the Beatles bass lines are tricky to say the least and to play them left-handed, well.

“I first time I played left handed, in Yarmouth, I was so nervous my hands turned to feet and I clubbed my way through the performance.

“I came off stage and thought ‘I’m never doing that again.’ But a bloke came up and said how great it was to see a left-handed McCartney.”

The praise gave Steve the courage to go at it again the following night. And each night, he improved.

The effort paid off and five years ago Steve was recruited by the Bootleg Beatles five years ago, regarded as the world’s top Beatles tribute band.

Since that time he has toured the world, once appearing in front of 15,000 Beatles fanatics in faraway Mongolia.

Steve has never met McCartney however. “I’d love to meet him. The old Bootleg Beatles managed it, but I hope to some day.”

Does he ever morph into Paul when he least expects it?

“Not really,” he says, grinning. “I’m under no illusion that I’m a music legend. The act ends when I come off stage.

“But in the dressing room beforehand I’ll listen to the music and watch YouTube clips, just so I’m fired up and ready to go.”

Can audiences convince themselves he’s Paul?

“Oh, yes. The fans can be pretty fanatical. But we see it as an accolade that these people think we’ve seen the real thing.

Steve adds; “It’s all about tricking the audience into thinking they’ve seen the Beatles. And it’s so much more about the wigs and suits. It’s about giving it your all.”

Would he ever appear on stage as Paul, solo?

“I don’t think so. People crave the unit. I remember someone who was a brilliant John Lennon, going it alone – if you saw him the hairs stood up on the back of your neck - but the show failed because at the end of the day people wanted to see John, Paul George and Ringo.”

Steve is happy to carry on being part of the unit.

“It’s bizarre to make a living mimicking someone else, but who better to copy than the Beatles.”

He adds, grinning; “And at least I’ve got one up on Paul. He can’t play the bass right handed.”

• The Bootleg Beatles, The Royal Concert Hall, December 14.