Josh Nalley, from Kentucky, finally caught the attention of producers at CSI: Vegas after putting up hundreds of clips on TikTok.

He can be seen lying in the mud, slumped in a rocking chair, strung up by his wrists or artfully draped over the nearest bar or table. The only thing similar about each creepy film is that he lies motionless.

The 41-year-old restaurant manager told the Washington Post: "Laziness is part of it.

"I figured that was the easiest way that I could actually get onto a TV show or movie, you know, without actually having to audition or move out of Kentucky."

But even the task of not moving proved harder than he first thought.

Soon after he started in October 2021 he found that not only were his shots on @living_dead_josh sometimes out of focus or badly framed, he could see tiny body movements or shallow breathing.

He's learned to control his body better, and says his hobby has given him a more philosophical outlook on growing older.

"I can face death and not really have to worry about it because, you know, I've seen myself dead so many times. It's a good way to process it."

He's also used it to connect with his family, frequently using nieces and nephews to play suspects in his repeated murders. His dogs Jango, Ollie and Gracie also feature, though their concern for their master wanes as the videos go on.

When the episode airs in the US on 3 November, he'll host and live-stream a watch party. He says the videos will continue, but he'll try to do something more lively.

"Maybe one day I'll get a speaking role," he said.