Harnessing the power of facial recognition, UK‑based dating app Badoo has launched a feature that allows its users to find dates who resemble their celebrity crushes. According to the makers of the app, there are 1,405 Ed-Sheeran-a-likes, 345 David Gandys, 975 Jake Gyllenhaals, 751 Idris Elbas and 342 Kylie Jenners on the platform, while the most searched-for celebrities in the UK are Cara Delevingne, Robert Pattinson and Fearne Cotton.

Are there really that many lookalikes all around us? I took to the streets of London to find out which famous faces people are mistaken for – and whom they think they most resemble.

Ian, 38, Kent

Composite: Christian Sinibaldi for the Guardian/Getty

This sounds very vain, but I’ve been told I look like Cillian Murphy. I think it’s just the blue eyes. Also, I got a WhatsApp the other day from a friend telling me I looked like Pelle Almqvist, the lead singer of the Hives.

Steph, 27, London

Composite: Christian Sinibaldi for the Guardian/Rex

People tell me I look like Holly Willoughby quite a bit, but I don’t see it. I also got Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas once when I was 16 – I did look quite different then, though.

Reggie, 32, US

Composite: Christian Sinibaldi for the Guardian/Getty

People have said I look like the basketball player Dwyane Wade, who plays for the Chicago Bulls. I see the resemblance, but I don’t know anything about basketball.



Gary, 31, London

Composite: Christian Sinibaldi for the Guardian/Getty

My family say I look like James Norton. My gran also fancies him, which is a bit weird.



Birte, 20, Germany

Composite: Christian Sinibaldi for the Guardian/Reuters

I’ve had Florence Welch before – maybe if I had longer hair I would look more like her, as we do have the same copper colour. My colleagues say I look like Emma Stone, too.

Harmony, 35, London

Composite: Christian Sinibaldi for the Guardian/Getty

I’ve been told I look like Whitney Houston, but I’m not sure. I’m a big fan of her music, especially the last album she released before she died. Her voice was back on top.

Elena, 23, Falmouth

Composite: Christian Sinibaldi for the Guardian/Getty

I’ve never seen an episode of Gossip Girl, but when I was at school people used to say I looked like Serena (Blake Lively).

Natasha, 22, London

Composite: Christian Sinibaldi for the Guardian/AP

Apparently, I look like Drew Barrymore in Scream. I’ve also had “a young Courtney Love”, but I’m not so keen on that one.

John, 46, London

Composite: Christian Sinibaldi for the Guardian/Rex

I’ve got lots of David Tennants. I think the first time was from a boy from a few doors down from me, who would call me “Doctor Who”.



John, 40, London

Composite: Christian Sinibaldi for the Guardian/Getty

I’ve had Paul Giamatti quite a few times, even from my mum. I’ve had John Peel, too, and even Sean Connery, but I think my friend might have been trying to butter me up. Maybe if I wore a rollneck I would look a bit like him.