Tussauds waxes set in celeb nativity scene

LONDON, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Church officials have decried London's Madame Tussauds Wax Museum for using Victoria and David Beckham doubles as Mary and Joseph in a nativity scene.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair, U.S. President George Bush and Prince Philip make up the three wise men in the annual display. Actors Hugh Grant, Samuel L. Jackson and comedian Graham Norton are portrayed as shepherds, while Australian singer Kylie Minogue is the angel.

A Vatican spokesman told The Times of London the use of celebrities was "in very poor taste," and Rev. Jonathan Jennings, a spokesman for the Archbishop of Canterbury, echoed the sentiment.

"There is a tradition in which each generation tries to re-enact the nativity, but oh deary me," Jennings told the BBC.