I have the quirkiest job in Blackpool, I see King Charles, Ant and Dec, and Harry Styles every day

Janine Marshall can lay claim to having perhaps the quirkiest job in Blackpool. As the General Manager of Madame Tussauds in the town, she spends her working day alongside a raft of superstars, rubbing shoulders with King Charles, discussing props and wardrobe for Harry Styles, and making sure Ant and Dec’s hair is just right.

“I find it fascinating,” says Janine, who has worked at Madame Tussauds Blackpool for two-and-a-half years. “It’s an absolutely amazing place and to see the level of talent required for this kind of work and the high standards demanded is unbelievable. It’s rewarding and unique.”

Celebrating Madame Tussauds’ 15-year anniversary on the Fylde coast, Janine is keen to celebrate al things waxwork, touching on everything from how featured celebrities are chosen for figures, how things have changed over the past decade-and-a-half, and even teasing a soon-to-be-revealed new arrival.

“A number of different things go into deciding waxworks,” says Janine. “Market research into who’s popular, customer feedback into who people want to see, and a focus on longevity of careers, especially with people like sports figures. It’s nice that we’ve got something for everybody.

“We’re starting to see a change in trends,” she adds, before explaining that the most popular attractions remain things like the Marvel section for families, the Coronation Street set, and their Strictly Come Dancing ballroom. “Madame Tussauds has always been a Hollywood-type star and music stars, but now people want more influencers who are becoming more prevalent online.

“It’s nice to see that shift because we can cater for different demographics,” Janine says. And, over the 15 years, there’s been much more investment in the figures while the skillset of the people who actually create the figures has improved massively. They’re just so much more lifelike, which makes it a much more interactive attraction.

“Plus, we’re delighted to have a new figure arriving this summer as well, about whom we can’t say too much for now… Watch this space!”

With a dedicated creative department on hand to maintain the figures and ensure they’re always looking their best, covering everything from their costumes and their wardrobe to their hair, the Madame Tussauds workplace is akin to the fashion industry and often more complex, as there will often be talent involvement in their own waxwork’s overall look.

Having delighted Fylde coast locals and visitors alike for the past 15 years, it’s safe to say Madame Tussauds still has plenty of punters to impress for years to come.