Bill Bailey’s Extraordinary Portraits Returns This Week

59 mins ago

Here’s what you need to know

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From Portrait Artist of the Year to The Great Pottery Throw Down, it’s safe to say we love a crafty TV series. But one series with a special place in our hearts is Extraordinary Portraits. Originally presented by Tinie, Bill Bailey took the reins last season, and he’s about to return for series 4. Here’s what we know so far.

Extraordinary Portraits Series 4

Bill Bailey in Extraordinary Portraits series 4. (© Chatterbox/BBC)

What Is Extraordinary Portraits About?

Extraordinary Portraits introduces us to members of the public with remarkable stories, whether they’ve escaped a crocodile attack like twins Melissa and Georgia in the first ever episode, saved someone on a battlefield or just have an interesting story to tell. They are paired up with a talented portrait artist, who is challenged to paint their portrait, imbuing it with the essence of the individual’s extraordinary story.

Who Will Star?

In series 3, the first presented by Bill Bailey, there was a focus on NHS workers in celebration of its 75th birthday. Across six episodes, we heard from: hospital porter Holly; the Edwards, a whole family of NHS workers; end-of-life care nurse Jules; Scotland’s first Asian paramedic, Araf; disabled doctor Grace; and inner-city trauma surgeon Martin. There doesn’t seem to be a specific focus for series 4 just yet. The first episode will centre on a young woman with cancer, while the second will see a railway worker transformed into a stunning portrait.

What Happens To The Portraits?

After the series has aired, the BBC sends the titular extraordinary portraits to a UK gallery where they are exhibited to the public. This series’ portraits will be exhibited in 2025’s City of Culture, Bradford. The brand new Loading Bay gallery will exhibit the portraits from its opening on 13 March 2025.

Clare Sacco, Oriane Pierrepoint & Bill Bailey in Extraordinary Portraits series 4

What Happened To Tinie?

The first two series of Extraordinary Portraits were presented by musician and passionate art collector Tinie (formerly known as Tinie Tempah). However, Bill Bailey took the reins for series 3 and will return once again for series 4, though no official statement has been made regarding Tinie’s involvement in the series in the future.

When he first joined the show in 2022, Tinie said: ‘I wanted to put a spotlight on contemporary British heroes; to hear their stories and help create an opportunity where the world can learn about them and their experience through art. Portraits are powerful, and a great way of achieving this, but historically they have been reserved for “high society”.

‘When a portrait of mine went into the National Portrait Gallery I remember the immense pride, inclusion and acknowledgement I felt. It was unquantifiable,’ Tinie added. ‘It made me feel like I was part of a change in the narrative, and so I hope the extraordinary people I have met making Extraordinary Portraits feel the same way.’

When Is Extraordinary Portraits On TV?

Extraordinary Portraits returns for series 4 on Friday 7 February 2025 at 7.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Episodes will then air weekly at the same time and place.