Tommi has been a living statue for 20 years, endeavouring to stay rooted to the spot amid hailstones, loose dogs and teasing teenagers.

But even he was moved by the news that Leicester Square would no longer host street performers, calling time on one of London’s most renowned tourist-friendly quirks.

Musicians, mimes and magicians will on Thursday be forced to vacate the area – leaving nothing but the sound of passing traffic and its famous Shakespeare fountain – after Westminster council was “left with no choice” but to bring in a controversial ban due to no...
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