Matilda takes on 'new nemesis' Donald Trump in statues for 30th anniversary of Roald Dahl classic
Donald Trump has been voted the person who the now grown-up Matilda would most likely be standing up to in 2018.
Monday 1 October 2018 17:50, UK
She was the gifted little girl who used her intellectual abilities and telekinetic skills to rid her school of cruel head teacher Agatha Trunchbull.
Now, 30 years after Roald Dahl's much-loved story was released, Matilda Wormwood has a new nemesis - in the shape of Donald Trump.
A statue of the defiant little girl facing up to the US president has been unveiled near the author's former home in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, to mark the anniversary of the book's publication.
The idea came from a public survey by The Roald Dahl Story Company as part of a search to find out what fans think the grown-up Matilda would be doing today.
Some 42% agreed Mr Trump would be her modern-day Trunchbull, with Prime Minister Theresa May coming second with 21% and Piers Morgan third with 16%.
Bernie Hall, from The Roald Dahl Story Company, said: "Matilda demonstrates that it's possible for anyone, no matter how small and powerless they feel, to defeat the Trunchbulls in their own lives - a message that feels more relevant today than it did 30 years ago."
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Matilda fan and Countdown lexicographer Susie Dent said: "It's not surprising to hear that Donald Trump has been voted the figure she would be most likely to stand up to in 2018 - many clearly see in him some similar traits to the fictional headmistress Miss Trunchbull."
Created by a team of artists including Drew Roper, a Birmingham-based animation entrepreneur, the statues can be viewed at the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre for a few weeks.
As part of the 30th celebrations, original illustrator Sir Quentin Blake has created several new drawings depicting Matilda in her thirties, which will be published in a special anniversary edition of the book.
Here's what the artist thinks she might be up to now...
But people voting in the poll thought the grown-up Matilda would most likely be working as a school teacher, with 24% agreeing she would have followed in the footsteps of her own favourite teacher and adoptive parent, Jennifer Honey.