Portrait Artist of the Year

Nine artists are challenged to create a portrait of one of three celebrities: actors Asa Butterfield and Anjli Mohindra and comedian Micky Flanagan.

In this second heat, 9 artists are challenged to create a portrait of one of 3 celebrities: Trevor Nelson; Former Pussy Cat Doll Ashley Roberts and actor and director Noel Clarke.

Nine artists create a portrait of one of 3 celebrities: ballroom dancer and former Strictly judge Len Goodman; musician Tinie Tempah, and actor Dame Harriet Walter.

In this fourth heat, 9 artists are challenged to create a portrait of one of 3 celebrities: comedian Asim Chaudhry, and actors Doreen Mantle and Russell Tovey.

In this fifth heat, 9 artists are challenged to create a portrait of one of 3 celebrities: actor Haydn Gwyne, presenter Fearne Cotton and performance poet John Cooper Clarke.

In this sixth heat, 9 artists are challenged to create a portrait of one of 3 celebrities: actors Zawe Ashton and Adrian Dunbar and Kaiser Chiefs front man Ricky Wilson.

In this seventh heat, 9 artists are challenged to create a portrait of one of 3 celebrities: director Mike Leigh and actors Ken Stott and Lydia Leonard.

In this eighth heat, 9 artists are challenged to create a portrait of one of 3 celebrities: actors Deborah Findlay and Wunmi Mosaku and actor and comedian Omid Djalili.

A stunning backdrop frames our celebrity sitter, the First Lady of musical theatre, Elaine Paige. But which three will make it through to the final?

Artists have four hours to re-create their final sitter, renowned poet, Lemn Sissay. The artists also unveil their commission paintings.

In this year's celebrity special of Portrait Artist of the Year 6 new celebrity artists are invited to take up the challenge.