London mayor Boris Johnson likes to project the image of a bumbling figure waffling on about wiff-waff and piffle.

But he is not fooling anyone — least of all sculptor Frances Segelman. “It’s the eyes. They’re very fierce. He got a serious side. You can see it in his eyes,” she says.

Ms Segelman has been studying Mr Johnson’s eyes — and the rest of his features — in preparation for a bronze bust she has been commissioned to make by youth charity, the Jack Petchey Foundation. She will go to City Hall next month to take photos, following which there will be a private sitting when she will start work on the bust.

She expects it will be finished by the end of the year when it will be presented to Mr Johnson.

“Making the bust will be easy. He’s got quite a baby face — very round. The hair is fantastic, I will put loads on,” she said.