By November, Susan Scott Lookalikes, an entertainment agency in North London, usually has 50 bookings for celebrity doppelgangers to entertain guests at Christmas parties. But it has only four booked so far, writes Jonathan Guthrie.

“This has turned into my worst year,” said Ms Scott, the business owner, “Our turnover is down 80 per cent. It should not be possible to keep going, but I will.” Sadly for Ms Scott, who set up the business in 1979, lookalikes are the frothiest of indulgences for customers who are throwing a party. It can cost £2,500 to hire a “tribute” performer, such as Maxine Barrie, who does an uncanny impersonation of Dame Shirley Bassey complete with musical numbers. The bread and butter business is supplying kittenish blondes masquerading as Marilyn Monroe to chat, in character, with guests and shoo them through from cocktails to dinner.