A protester attacked a controversial waxwork nativity scene featuring England soccer captain David Beckham as Joseph and his pop star wife “Posh Spice” Victoria as the Virgin Mary.
“He pushed Posh and Becks over. It caused some damage but we don’t know how much. The baby Jesus is fine,” said a spokeswoman for Madame Tussaud’s waxwork museum in London on Monday.
Anglicans, Catholics and Presbyterians have united in calling the exhibit a new low in the cult of celebrity worship.
But Madame Tussaud’s said it was popular with the public, who were outraged at Sunday’s vandalism.
“People were appalled. We had members of the public complaining that the nativity was the only reason they were coming in today,” the spokeswoman said.
“Staff gave chase but the attacker managed to escape. We are hoping to re-open the exhibit as soon as possible.”
Media mirth
Controversy over the nativity has caused great mirth in British media. The Sun newspaper even instituted a dial-in line on Monday for anyone who might be able to identify the attacker.
In the wax tableau, Australian pop star Kylie Minogue hovers above the crib as an angel while Victoria lays her shawled head tenderly on Beckham’s shoulder.
Prime Minister Tony Blair, President Bush and the Duke of Edinburgh star as The Three Wise Men. The shepherds are played by Hollywood star Samuel L. Jackson, British actor Hugh Grant and camp Irish comedian Graham Norton.
Madame Tussaud’s have apologized for any offence caused, but insist the tableau was intended only as a tongue-in-cheek way of bringing the nativity to a wider audience.
“We are not suggesting for one minute these celebrities actually represent the biblical characters themselves and we are sorry if it has been misconstrued as such,” a statement said.
The Beckhams disassociated themselves from the nativity, saying they had no idea they were to be depicted that way.