An impersonator who has been imitating billionaire Donald Trump for 12 years says he is now making $40,000 a month since he became the Republican front-runner in the race for the White House.

John Di Domenico from Pennsylvania, first mastered the voice and characteristics of the hotel tycoon when TV show The Apprentice started in 2004.

But since Trump announced he would be standing for the US presidency, the 53-year-old has seen his bookings skyrocket and can now charge up to $10,000 for turning up at events.

John Di Domenico from Pennsylvania who is a full-time Donald Trump impersonator after starting his act in 2004

Mr Di Domenico travels around the U.S. attending functions, where he performs a stand-up routine as Trump

The demand for the tribute act has skyrocked since the real Trump, pictured, announced he would be running for the White House

At the events he performs a stand-up routine and even insults the guests, just like Trump did on The Apprentice.

And Mr Di Domenico says some people even believe he is the real Trump and often gets people cheering for him and asking to take selfies.

The full-time impersonator explained: 'Whenever I'm in character people yell out "Trump Trump Trump", its hilarious, some of the reations I've had have been incredible

'People literally scream 'We love you Donald' at me, others want selfies, it's shocking how many people love him.

The impersonator poses with two guests at one of his events. He says he is often asked to pose for pictures

Mr Di Domenico says that since dressing up and acting out the character of Trump, he has been drawing a lot of female attention

'Trump is always seen with very attractive supermodels and it's been the same for me, since dressing up as the character I've been drawing a lot of female attention.

'Women kiss me, put their arms around me, it's really fascinating, a few years ago that wasn't happening but more recently it's changed a lot.

'I've had Instagram pictures with some very beautiful women, they're attracted to Trump personality rather than me - because he's such a manly man who says and gets what he wants.

'If people get really close they can just about figure I'm not the real Trump, I have to wear three-inch heels to be close to his height, but even still when they confuse me I never correct them.

When he first started his Trump act in 2004, demand wasn't that high but 11 years later, he is a full-time Trump impersonator

Last June after it was confirmed that Donald Trump would run as a Republican candidate Mr Di Domenico has been working nonstop

'Whenever I'm performing I have to keep remembering to 'Trump it up' and pull people out the audience to roast them in character - its great fun.

'People love getting roasted by Trump, I never cross the line but they're always left laughing.'

When Mr Di Domenico first started his Trump act, the demand for it wasn't that high.

But since Trump started to run for the presidency, Mr Di Domenico has been overwhelmed with bookings.

He added: 'During the last election requests for Trump spiked when people thought he would run for candidacy, but then last June when it was confirmed it's been nonstop and I've been working every day since October.

It takes several hours for Mr Di Domenico to transform into Trump and he has to wear a wig and make up

'I do around four jobs a month which costs businesses $40,000 but that money is then split between my agent, business costs, wigs cost around $6,000, cleaning suits and covers a 12 hour working day.

'When I dress up as Trump it takes about an hour to get my costume and make-up sorted, the hair is the worst part.

The Trump wig and all of the make-up that helps Mr Di Domenico transform into the tycoon

'Trump has quite a large head so I have to be clever with make-up, as well as adding crow's feet, the orange tint and contact lenses.

'Even over the 12 years impersonating Trump has changed, since running for to be the Republican candidate he makes way over the top physical gestures and his voice has changed too.'

Mr Di Domenico first started his impersonations, at the age of five, as a way of overcoming a speech impediment that left his family struggling to understand him when he spoke.

From there he mastered mimicking stars of the time including actor Humphrey Boggart and TV host Ed Sullivan.

He said: 'People couldn't understand me when I tried to talk, but when I did impressions there was no impediment whatsoever it was quite incredible.

'From there I started learning to imitate more and more of the stars I'd grew up watching which in turn gave me more confidence.'

Growing up he tried to break into the New York's acting scene, but found himself getting more work as an impressionist so decided to concentrate on that full-time.

In 2004 he started to copy Donald Trump after seeing him on The Apprentice USA and incorporated him into a show of 50 other characters including: Austin Powers, Sean Connery, Jay Leno and others.

Mr Di Domenico out of character. He first started his impersonations, at the age of five, as a way of overcoming a speech impediment

But last June after it was confirmed that Donald Trump would run as a Republican candidate Mr Di Domenico has been working nonstop.

He added: 'When I first spotted Trump on TV I sat down for a week analysing his voice placement, nasal tones, then I looked to get the suit, pink tie and that hair.

'Now I've been acting as Trump for anyone else in the game, it feels like it's finally paying off and he's a great character to perform.