The Magi of marketing men at Madame Tussauds might imagine that the gift of gold was merely an early version of modern bling and no doubt are hoping that the maxim “all publicity is good publicity” will prevail even here. We sense, though, that they are mistaken. The reaction of church leaders, Roman Catholic and Protestant, has been strong enough to make even the most cynical and secular of marketing men think again. It is a pity that they did not ponder for rather longer before initiating this distasteful “exhibit”.

There is no doubt that many seasonal visitors to London of all faiths will be surprised if not outraged by the elevation of a footballer and his partner to the status of mother of the Messiah and her husband. It would be no surprise if they responded by taking their money elsewhere to other attractions.

In this case, the Vatican may not be overreacting by suggesting that the scene verges on the blasphemous. No doubt even Mr and Mrs Beckham will be uncomfortable with the comparison. In the circumstances, there is only one option for Madame Tussauds. It should apologise forthwith and send its wax dummies back whence they came to be melted down.