Alan Titchmarsh has disclosed a rather sweet detail about his Madame Tussauds likeness that means it needs to be regularly cleaned. The waxwork at the tourist hotspot is reportedly blanketed in kisses from adoring fans on a daily basis necessitating frequent cleaning.
Rising to fame in the 90s with his work on popular gardening shows including Gardener's World and Ground Force, Titchmarsh became a national favourite. As such, as the millennium dawned, Madame Tussauds decided to immortalise him in wax within their renowned London venue.
Stationed alongside the likes of Hollywood icon Brad Pitt, Titchmarsh's waxy counterpart seems to have turned into quite the draw for his devoted fans at the museum, visited by throngs daily. During an episode of Would I Lie To You, the celebrity gardener posed a challenge to the show's panel members, inviting them to deduce whether the tale of his kiss-adorned wax figure was true or a fib.
READ MORE: Antiques Roadshow guest speechless after staggering valuation of book she bought for just £4
He shared with the audience: "My Madame Tussauds waxwork was such a hit with the ladies it was kissed more than any other and had to be cleaned of lipstick every day." Team captain David Mitchell, driven by curiosity, probed Alan about the ins and outs of becoming a wax exhibit.
Titchmarsh elaborated on the timing of his installation and the affection he suspects is mostly directed at his cheeks and face due to the majority of his body being clad in clothing, stating: "I think it was about the turn of the millennium, it was around the year 2000 [when I was added]. Most of my body was covered with clothing so I suspect fans kissed my cheeks and face".
Alan Titchmarsh recounted his memorable experience at the artists' studio, saying: "They take you into the studio and they photograph you from every angle. And the way they get every angle is they stand you on a turntable that slowly revolves", reports the Express.
He was quick to clarify that he didn't have to bare all for the full-body scan, stating: "No, [you're not naked]. They said, 'We can give you a pair of spandex shorts that Tim Henman wore last week'."
On the topic of why his wax figure attracted so many eager fans, Alan revealed with a laugh: "I was next to Brad Pitt." He amusingly added: "There was too much of a crowd around Brad Pitt so they'd come to me because it was easier to kiss me because there was nobody there".
Confirming the veracity of his tale, he left everyone in shock. Wikipedia notes that Titchmarsh's figure is "one of the most fondled" at the museum, second only to his Oscar-winning neighbour. A museum spokeswoman verified: "Oh yes, Alan gets kissed so often that we regularly take his head off for a clean".
