Ryan waxes lyrical over his carbon copy

IT’S hard to imagine Gerry Ryan staying quiet for two hours. But that is exactly what the popular 2FM broadcaster had to do to earn his place in the National Wax Museum.

Ryan became the latest homegrown celebrity to feature in the Irish version of Madame Tussaud's collection when he unveiled a life-size model of himself at the museum, just off Parnell Square in Dublin yesterday.

The actual model is styled on a picture of Ryan from the front cover of a March 2001 edition of the RTÉ Guide in which he was dressed to look like Keanu Reeves, star of the film, The Matrix.

"What a guy," smiled the living version as he happily posed for photos with his silent double, dressed identically in full-length, black leather coat and dark sunglasses. Wax sculptor PJ Heraty said the well-known DJ had been a perfect model for the two hours he was required to pose in order to take the measurements for the statue's mould. "Gerry managed to stay still and quiet most of the time," joked PJ.

Despite having some concerns about what the end product would look like, Ryan declared himself delighted with its life-like resemblance.

"We all have our opinion on how the face and sculpture would turn out. I felt I was going to look like a berk. Instead, I look like a great berk," said Ryan, waxing lyrical.

The broadcaster said he was privileged that his wax model would find a place in the museum among the pantheon of other gods like Homer Simpson."

"It is appropriate that two of the most dysfunctional fathers are together," he smiled.

The radio presenter said it had proven a worthwhile effort to have been covered in seaweed-like gunge for over two hours.

"It's a very interesting process. I had to have two straws placed up my nose in order to breathe. Dozens of measurements were taken but the most important aspect of all are the eyes, not the hairline or jawbone. The eyes are the most important feature for getting a true resemblance," said the broadcaster.

The museum's manager, Kay Murray said: "For many years, people have asked me where is Gerry Ryan. He is consistently placed in the Top Five whenever we compile a list of celebrities which visitors would like to see." The National Wax Museum, which is now under new ownership, has also boosted its current collection with the addition of a set of Star Wars characters and a Children's Theatre. However, Ryan's model will be placed in the main section alongside other RTÉ stars like Gay Byrne and Pat Kenny. And not as one wag suggested The Chamber of Horrors.