Sean Grahame, 45, claimed he was unemployed and a single parent in order to receive thousands of pounds in income support, job seekers' allowance, housing benefit and council tax rebates.
In fact, he was starring in shows like Grease on a cross-Channel cruise ship, entertaining the audience with his comedy routines and vocal performances. Despite his entertainment commitments on board Brittany Ferries, Grahame would return to his home to sign on and attend job seekers' appointments.
But he was collared after an employee at his local job centre recognised him as she sat in the crowd at one of his performances aboard a cruise ship earlier this year.
The member of staff immediately alerted the authorities and a subsequent investigation revealed he had been illegally claiming benefits for over seven years from April 2003 to March 2010.
Grahame admitted four counts of benefit fraud last month and was sentenced to a 12 month sentence suspended for one year at Torquay Magistrates' Court.
A Department of Work and Pensions investigations revealed Grahame claimed a total of £40,642.57.
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