Millions and millions of people have flocked through the doors of Madame Tussauds since they first opened over 200 years ago and it remains just as popular as it ever was. There are many reasons for this enduring success, but at the heart of it all is good, old-fashioned curiosity.

The production of a wax figure takes an average of 3 months once a decision has been made as to who is going to be considered for a wax likeness. Various specialists and professional people are involved with this process. The person involved will pose in almost all cases, whereby the sculptor will take all measurements from top to bottom. A photographer will take photographs from all possible angles. These photographs aren't just used by the sculptor when producing the clay figure, but also at a later stage when the figure is coloured and its hair is styled. The colour specialists look at the colour of the skin, eyes, teeth and any make-up used when working with ladies. A hairdresser is also on hand, who uses samples to decide on the right colour of the hair and eyebrows and, providing the person agrees, cuts off a piece of the person's hair.