Alan Titchmarsh, the cherished Love Your Garden presenter, has shared a delightful tidbit about his wax figure at Madame Tussauds: it attracts so many affectionate smooches from adoring fans that it requires frequent cleaning.

The 75-year-old icon, who gained immense popularity in the '90s with shows like Gardener's World and Ground Force, was honoured around the year 2000 with his likeness at the famed London wax museum. His statue sits proudly alongside none other than Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt, drawing hordes of visitors daily, reports the Express.

On an episode of Would I Lie To You, Alan regaled the audience and panel members—including team captain David Mitchell—with a tale about his waxy double: "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". During the show, while the team tried to discern truth from fib, Alan divulged further details: "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".

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Alan revealed an amusing anecdote about his experience at the artists' studio for the waxwork, 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".

He was quick to clarify that there was no need for nudity during the process, adding: "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 his wax figure's popularity, he quipped: "I was next to Brad Pitt. 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".

He later confirmed the story as true, much to the astonishment of his fellow presenters. Wikipedia notes that Titchmarsh's figure is particularly popular at the museum, even more so than his Oscar-winning neighbour. Confirming this, a spokeswoman for the museum stated: "Oh yes, Alan gets kissed so often that we regularly take his head off for a clean".

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