A living statue has revealed the secrets and risks of his unusual trade.

Wimbledon-based Matt Walters has made a career out of staying frozen still covered in body paint – before shocking passersby with a sudden burst of movement.

His work includes busking at tourist attractions like Covent Garden, as well as town centres including Brighton and Kingston. He has also featured in television dramas and adverts, and appears at weddings and corporate events.

And last week the 47-year-old, who has been a human statue for 28 years, appeared close to home as he intrigued the crowds at Wimbledon department store Ely’s Christmas party.

He said the challenges of human statue work, particularly while performing outdoors, included dealing with drunk passersby.

He said: “I’ve been pushed over and hit. I’ve been spat at.”

But he said the high point of the job was when he heard people puzzling over whether he was a real statue. He said: “It’s worth any amount of money, the reaction I get from people.”