According to the Tussauds Group, the restructuring of the company that took place at the end of last year, which separated the management of the park and hotels, was the reason for Armond leaving.

Armond had previously spent four years at Chessington as marketing manager and four years at Warwick Castle as general manager.

The managing director of theme parks for the Tussauds Group, Bruce McKendrick, said: “It is with great regret that we say goodbye to Ralph.

“We have the utmost respect for what he has achieved during his career at Alton Towers, and the greater community around, and we have no doubt that he will be missed.”

Over the past four years, Alton Towers has developed from a single day attraction to include two hotels, a waterpark and a conference centre.