Art lover Bill Bailey returns for a new series of Extraordinary Portraits, matching ordinary people who have extraordinary stories with some of the country's most talented portrait artists. \n\nCivil servant Darryn was working at a prisoner rehabilitation conference at Fishmongers' Hall near London Bridge in 2019 when a knife-wielding man attacked, killing two innocent people. Grabbing a narwhal tusk mounted on a nearby wall, Darryn, with former and serving prisoners, managed to fend off the attacker, protecting others until police arrived. \n \nDarryn was awarded a gallantry medal by the late queen, and to the outside world his actions were heroic. But the aftermath proved far more complex, and he says it has left him changed forever. Now, he dedicates his life to rehabilitation work and runs a home for former offenders, alongside one of the prisoners who stood with him on the bridge that day.\n\nBill believes that Nick, a gifted sculptor, would be the perfect artist to capture this remarkable man who does not see himself as a hero. But can Nick create a sculpture of Darryn that is truly three-dimensional – one that acknowledges the bravery of his actions that day as well as the emotional consequences they left behind?
Source: BBC 1
Series 5: 1. Honouring Remarkable Bravery
Art lover Bill Bailey returns for a new series of Extraordinary Portraits, matching ordinary people who have extraordinary stories with some of the country's most talented portr ...
27-03-2026
BBC 1
Series 4: 6. Millie And Karen
Comedian and art lover Bill Bailey matches 20-year-old Millie, a campaigner challenging the stereotypes around Down’s syndrome, with Karen Turner, an award-winning, self-t ...
24-06-2025
BBC 1
Series 4: 5. Marva, Lionel And Chloe
Comedian and art lover Bill Bailey matches foster carers Marva and Lionel with a young artist to create a stunning portrait of the deserving couple.\n\nMarva and Lionel decided ...
17-06-2025
BBC 1
Series 4: 4. Christian And Hywel
Comedian and art lover Bill Bailey matches former soldier and fundraiser Christian with a sculptor to create a lasting legacy.\n\nWhen ex-paratrooper Christian struggled to fit ...
10-06-2025
BBC 1
Series 4: 3. Gill And David
Comedian and art lover Bill Bailey tasks former goalkeeper and painter David James to create a portrait of ex-footballer Gill, who competed for England in the unofficial 1971 Wo ...
03-06-2025
BBC 1
Series 4: 2. Rizwan And Jack
Comedian and art lover Bill Bailey matches a life-saving railway worker with a celebrated artist to create a well-deserved portrait.\n\nEast Londoner Rizwan stopped someone tryi ...
27-05-2025
BBC 1
Series 4: 1. Clare And Oriane
Comedian and art lover Bill Bailey matches an inspiring young person with cancer with a realist portrait artist to create a stunning work of art.\n\nClare started her own charit ...
20-05-2025
BBC 1
Series 3: 6. Holly And Mark
Bill Bailey matches extraordinary NHS workers with some of the UK’s best portrait artists. In this episode, hospital porter Holly is matched with classicist painter Mark. ...
23-08-2023
BBC 1
Series 3: 5. The Edwards And Adebanji
Bill Bailey matches extraordinary NHS workers with some of the UK’s best portrait artists. In this episode, president of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Adebanji Alad ...
23-08-2023
BBC 1
Series 3: 4. Jules And Belinda
Bill Bailey matches extraordinary NHS workers with some of the UK’s best artists. In this episode, end-of-life care nurse Jules is matched with magical realist painter Bel ...
16-08-2023
BBC 1
Series 5: 1. Honouring Remarkable Bravery
Art lover Bill Bailey returns for a new series of Extraordinary Portraits, matching ordinary people who have extraordinary stories with some of the country's most talented portr ...
27-03-2026
BBC 1
Series 3: 5. The Edwards And Adebanji
Bill Bailey matches extraordinary NHS workers with some of the UK’s best portrait artists. In this episode, president of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Adebanji Alad ...
23-08-2023
BBC 1
Series 2: Episode 2
Charlotte Banfield has cerebral palsy and autism. Bullied at school and once afraid to leave the house, she is now an adaptive surfer. Her match is Bella Kotak, a fine-art, fash ...
08-07-2022
BBC 1
Series 1: Episode 1
Musician and art collector Tinie matches members of the public with extraordinary stories to a selection of distinctive and celebrated portrait artists. The artists are then cha ...
16-03-2022
BBC 1
Series 1: Episode 2
Extraordinary Portraits sees musician and art collector Tinie challenge noted portrait artists to paint or photograph members of the public who have extraordinary stories.\n\nCe ...
23-03-2022
BBC 1
Series 2: Episode 3
Experimental artist Lo Lo celebrates the bravery of Jahmal Howlett-Mundle, a footballer who has come out as bisexual.\n\nJahmal's story hit the headlines when phone footage of h ...
15-07-2022
BBC 1
Series 2: Episode 1
In this unlikely match, painter Stuart Pearson Wright is challenged to capture charity fundraiser Harriet Middleton's joy and love for her Shetlander heritage.\n\nCancer survivo ...
01-07-2022
BBC 1
Series 3: 2. Grace And Jemisha
Junior doctor Grace is paired with painter Jemisha Maadhavji. Grace was still a student when a man jumped from the third floor of a shopping centre and landed on her, causing li ...
03-08-2023
BBC 1
Series 3: 4. Jules And Belinda
Bill Bailey matches extraordinary NHS workers with some of the UK’s best artists. In this episode, end-of-life care nurse Jules is matched with magical realist painter Bel ...
16-08-2023
BBC 1
Series 4: 6. Millie And Karen
Comedian and art lover Bill Bailey matches 20-year-old Millie, a campaigner challenging the stereotypes around Down’s syndrome, with Karen Turner, an award-winning, self-t ...
24-06-2025
BBC 1