Painstakingly sculpted during hours of sittings, spoon-bender Uri Geller looks calm and composed. But Marilyn Panto says that image is far from the truth.

Sculptress Marilyn says the controversial TV psychic is a fidget who can't keep still.

Marilyn spent ten sessions with the "paranormalist" at his home at Sonning, Berkshire on the River Thames. But he found it almost impossible to stay in one position.

Marilyn, of Whitethorn Drive, Brighton, said: "Uri agreed to sit for me but he just couldn't sit still. He would be constantly answering the phone or signing autographs or on his exercise bike or calling to his wife for a sandwich or a cup of tea."

On one occasion he even did a radio interview while Marilyn was trying to work.

Marilyn said: "I don't think he realised how much he would have to sit. I wasn't used to it either. Normally when someone comes to my studio, they are mine and I'm in control. But, although I think he tried, he just couldn't switch off.

"It was very difficult to get a likeness of him. It was a bit of a nightmare really but I tried to be polite. At one stage I asked if, as a child, he had suffered from attention deficit disorder. My son Paul, who was with me, glared at me."

After five sessions, Marilyn told Uri she did not think it was worthwhile continuing.

"But he persuaded me to carry on and promised to try to keep still. He did get a bit better but it was still a struggle.

"Uri was nice enough and very generous. He kept giving me little gifts."

Marilyn decided to sculpt Uri after seeing him at a Mind, Body and Spirit event at Brighton Racecourse.

She said: "I didn't know much about him but I thought his very angular face would be interesting to sculpt."

During their sessions Uri chatted about his children, his work and football - he is chairman of Exeter City.

"He asked me to think positive thoughts about his team as they are not doing very well."

Marilyn's five-year-old grandson Mathew, who accompanied her on one visit, took a spoon and asked Uri to bend it.

She said: "He didn't know we were going to ask but he did it, right in front of us. He only had it for a second before it started bending."

Marilyn also found herself caught up in the controversy surrounding Martin Bashir's interview with Michael Jackson, in which the star admitted sleeping in the same bed as some of his young houseguests.

Uri, who counts Jackson as a friend and had him as his best man at his wedding, sprang to his defence and film crews descended on his home.

"That was a complete waste of a day because the place was full of TV cameras and he was totally distracted."

Uri, who found renewed fame in the first series of the jungle game show I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, gave Marilyn a tour of his home and grounds, which include a tennis court and swimming pool, and his garage.

"He has this amazing old Cadillac. It must have 10,000 bent spoons, forks and knives welded on to it. It is a work of art."

Marilyn sculpted Uri in clay and the life-size bust will be cast in bronze. He has asked for one, or possibly two copies.

She said: "He wants one for the football club and maybe one for charity."

Marilyn's sculptures sell for between £3,000 and £8,000.

She is taking part in the Brighton Festival Open House scheme, where her work and demonstrations can be seen at 25 Whitethorn Drive, Brighton, each weekend during May from 11am-6pm.