Whitney Houston waxwork launches in London

A new wax figure of Whitney Houston has been unveiled at Madame Tussauds in London.

The famous visitor attraction enlisted the help of a full gospel choir to unveil the wax figure earlier today (21.10.13), which was created in the iconic singer’s honour following her death in February 2012.

The figure – one of four embodying the ‘I Will Always Love You’ hitmaker at various stages of her career – is inspired by Whitney’s appearance in the promotional art for her 2009 comeback album ‘I Look to You’ and sees her adorned in a stunning floor-length gown with her arms outstretched.

The commemorative likeness was originally unveiled at Madame Tussauds’ New York museum earlier this year by members of Whitney’s family – including her mother Cissy Houston – but it is now being exhibited outside of the US for the first time.

Madame Tussauds’ Nicole Fenner said: ”We are very excited to be welcoming Whitney Houston on to our London music stage for the next eight weeks.

”This is a very special figure as it was created after Whitney’s very sad and untimely death with the close co-operation of her family, who were delighted by the results.”

The wax figure’s debut was backed by a rousing performance from the London Gospel Factory Choir, and the group’s artistic director Colin Vassell was honoured to be part of the special moment.

He added: ”Whitney Houston is one of the most talented singers of her – or any – generation and we were delighted to welcome her wax figure to London.

”She is a personal hero of mine so to get to stand alongside her and sing was a slightly surreal but awesome experience.

”We chose a song she performed in the film ‘The Preacher’s Wife’ because it is so uplifting and great fun to perform. We hope we did her justice.”