MELTHAM artist Darren Baker has been chosen to pit his skills against other portrait painters in a new television show.
In "A Brush With Fame" 20 celebrities will be modelling for the artists who are competing for the title of Britain's most talented portrait painter.
Nine cities around Britain will play regional hosts to a national art road show.
And Darren, 29 will be painting against a dozen others in his regional heat in Salford next week.
Finalists will then take part in a grand final in London giving them the chance to win the title and a contract with Washington Green, Europe's largest art publisher.
Darren is thrilled to be taking part in the Granada Television show.
"There has never been an opportunity like this before," he said.
" It is a unique chance for the thousands of gifted painters we have in the UK not only to paint or draw a famous personality, but also to have their work nationally recognised."
Carol Smilie of the BBC's Changing Rooms programme is to present the programme with celebrity artist and Royal Portrait painter Christian Furr as chairman of the judging panel.
Darren's forthcoming exhibition of 20 new paintings in oil and pastel will be on Friday and Saturday July 15 and 16 at Christchurch, The Grove, Ilkley, from 10am to 7pm Friday and 10am to 5pm on Saturday.
He will also unveil his portrait of Olympic rower Sir Steve Redgrave at the show.
