Henning When, Alex Brooker and Big Zuu

Henning When, Alex Brooker and Big Zuu are among the celebrities being painted in this year’s Portrait Artist of the Year competition, Sky Arts has announced.

The show returns on Wednesday October 5 with hosts Joan Bakewell and Stephen Mangan, with artists battling it out to impress expert judges Tai Shan Schierenberg, Kathleen Soriano and Kate Bryan across seven heats.

And the winner will receive a £10,000 commission to paint a portrait of Sir Lenny Henry, which will be exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery as part of their reopening in 2023. 

Also taking the sitters’ chair this year are: Lulu, Bruno Tonioli, Nick Grimshaw, Miquita Oliver, Dame Stella Rimington, Suggs, Elizabeth Day, Jim Carter, Eve Muirhead, Phil Manzanera, Khadija Mellah, YolanDa Brown, Helen Sharman, Alexis French, Lemar, Candice Carty-Williams, Benjamin Zephaniah and  Ellie Simmonds.

Joan Bakewell said: ‘It never fails to fascinate me how one subject – or celebrity sitter in this case – can be interpreted in so many different ways, yet this series of Portrait Artist of the Year doesn’t disappoint as our brilliant artists once again produce some incredible portraits. I’m just glad I’m not one of the judges!’

Stephen Mangan said: ‘Having the opportunity to watch such skilled artists at work as they paint our wonderful – and incredibly patient – celebrity sitters is always a pleasure and this series is no different… we’ve got such a fantastic mix of familiar faces all taking the hot seat in front of the easel, with each resulting portrait so varied and unique. Viewers are in for a treat.’

Published: 8 Sep 2022