A HOST on a well-liked competitors sequence has sparked panic amongst followers after claiming she has been axed.
Portrait Artist of the Yr airs on Sky Arts and follows artists as they paint dwell, competing to win a £10,000 fee plus £500 of supplies from Cass Artwork.
Skilled and newbie artists alike take to their easels to seize superstar sitters in simply 4 hours.
The sequence has been hosted by Joan Bakewell because it started in 2013, firstly alongside Frank Skinner for 5 sequence after which with actor Stephen Mangan.
Nevertheless, Joan, 90, shocked followers after she tweeted: “The publicity says I’ll be judging Portrait Artist of the Yr!! Alas, no! Sadly I’ve been dropped!”
Joan’s followers instantly responded, with actor Mark Gatiss writing: “What contemporary hell is that this??”
One other fan tweeted: “Outrageous. You may be vastly missed and nobody can ever substitute you.”
Nevertheless, Joan then shared a second tweet which backtracked on her first one, as she wrote: “WHAT A MISTAKE!!! Out of carelessness and the errors of outdated age I’ve handle to say I’m giving up Portrait Artist and occurring my method!! Not so!!
“I’m right here some time but… working with my pals. I used to be simply anticipating the long run with regrets at what’s going to inevitably finish!!!”
A spokesperson for Sky Arts additionally reassured followers that Joan remains to be very a lot a part of the programme.
They instructed The Solar On-line: “I can verify that Joan seems in sequence 10 of Portrait Artist of the Yr in her common presenting position alongside Stephen Mangan. The sequence will likely be airing later this yr.”
Followers had been relieved, with one writing: “Oh good, we like your opinionated opinions which give a unique view to the judges’ consensus.”
One other added: “Thank goodness for that! It simply would not be the identical and it is one in every of our go to exhibits!”
A 3rd joked: “All of us received our knickers in twist for a second there.”
Portrait Artist of the Yr will air later this yr on Sky Arts.