One Show viewers to decide gallery addition

This spring, The One Show viewers will be asked to decide which public figure should be added to the National Portrait Gallery’s Collection.

Each year the National Portrait Gallery, London, acquires portraits of a few people who have made a significant and lasting contribution to this country.

For the first time, the public will get to choose which public figure should be celebrated in a jointly commissioned National Portrait Gallery/BBC painted portrait. BBC Arts will also follow the creation of the portrait for a one-off documentary, which will be shown in autumn 2013 on BBC One.

Mark Bell, Commissioning Editor, Arts, says: “This is a first, and a unique opportunity for the BBC audience to decide who should be the subject of a People’s Portrait.”

In the ultimate sign of recognition from the British public, The One Show will unveil a shortlist of public figures from the worlds of science, community activism, sport and the arts. Over one week, One Show presenters will campaign for their person of choice to be immortalised on the walls of one of the UK’s leading arts institutions.

Sandy Nairne, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, London, says: “Adding a new portrait to British history, as seen in the National Portrait Gallery, is an exciting prospect – and we are delighted to share the process through collaboration with the BBC.”

Once chosen, the winner will sit for a portrait to be displayed as part of the National Portrait Gallery’s Collection.