Female Chairman Mao impersonator's husband is refusing to have sex with her Chen Yan earns up to £1,000 a time to dress up and perform as Mao But her husband is put off by her likeness to the former communist leader She became a professional impersonator after entering a TV talent show China's first female Chairman Mao impersonator may be a hit with her fans but not with her husband who is refusing to have sex with her because he is put off by her likeness to the late communist leader. Chen Yan, 51, gave up her job as a shopkeeper and is now being paid a fortune by department stores and property developers to dress up as Mao and pose for pictures. But her whirlwind success had taken its toll on her marriage to the point her husband is now said to be 'disgusted' by her. Doppelganger: Former shopkeeper Chen Yan's likeness to Chairman Mao has made her a hit with fans but not with her husband She told the Global People magazine that he could no longer stand the feeling that 'he is sleeping with [the] Chairman and that their sex life had been destroyed.' Mrs Chen, from Mianyang in Sichuan province, was mocked as a child for having an uncanny resemblance to Mao. She decided to begin a career as an impersonator after appearing on a television talent show where ordinary people impersonate celebrities. Star quality: Mrs Chen poses for a photo with fans. Her husband is reportedly disgusted by her likeness to China's late leader and is refusing to sleep with her In character: Mrs Chen receives a kiss from a young fan. She began her career as an impersonator when she appeared on television talent show Spot the difference: Mrs Chen, left, and China's former Communist leader Chairman Mao Zedong, right While she was not allowed to impersonate Mao directly, she was permitted to impersonate Chinese actor Tang Guoqiang, who is well known for playing historical figures in film and on TV. Although she didn't win, she returned home to discover she had become something of a local celebrity. She decided to throw herself into a new career as an impersonator and set about studying Mao's mannerisms and habits even down to how he held his chopsticks. Effort: Mrs Chen's Mao make-up takes hour to apply at a cost of around £200 a time Mrs Chen has her hair trimmed to mimic that of the late communist leader before having his trademark mole applied to her chin Mrs Chen, who stands 5ft 1ins tall had a pair of specially designed shoes made at a cost of £1,020 to increase her height to 5ft 11ins. Her make up, which include's a Mao-style mole on the chin and his signature hairstyle takes hours to prepare at a cost of £200 a time. According to Zhang Bingjian, an artist and filmmaker who made a documentary about Mao impersonators, Mr and Mrs Chen are now fighting to rescue their marriage. Reconciliation: Mr and Mrs Chen are reportedly now fighting to rescue their marriage Lucrative: Mrs Chen reportedly earns up to £1,000 a time to dress up and perform as Mao Salute: Mrs Chen is paid a fortune by department stores and property developers to dress up as Mao and pose for pictures