A HOST on a popular competition series has sparked panic among fans after claiming she has been axed.
Portrait Artist of the Year airs on Sky Arts and follows artists as they paint live, competing to win a £10,000 commission plus £500 of materials from Cass Art.
Professional and amateur artists alike take to their easels to capture celebrity sitters in just four hours.
The series has been hosted by Joan Bakewell since it began in 2013, firstly alongside Frank Skinner for five series and then with actor Stephen Mangan.
However, Joan, 90, shocked fans after she tweeted: "The publicity says I’ll be judging Portrait Artist of the Year!! Alas, no! Sadly I’ve been dropped!"
Joan's fans immediately responded, with actor Mark Gatiss writing: "What fresh hell is this??"
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Another fan tweeted: "Outrageous. You will be greatly missed and no one can ever replace you."
However, Joan then shared a second tweet which backtracked on her first one, as she wrote: "WHAT A MISTAKE!!! Out of carelessness and the mistakes of old age I’ve manage to say I’m giving up Portrait Artist and going on my way!! Not so!!
"I’m here a while yet… working with my friends. I was just anticipating the future with regrets at what will inevitably end!!!"
A spokesperson for Sky Arts also reassured fans that Joan is still very much part of the programme.
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They told The Sun Online: "I can confirm that Joan appears in series 10 of Portrait Artist of the Year in her usual presenting role alongside Stephen Mangan. The series will be airing later this year."
Fans were relieved, with one writing: "Oh good, we like your opinionated opinions which give a different view to the judges' consensus."
Another added: "Thank goodness for that! It just wouldn't be the same and it's one of our go to shows!"
A third joked: "We all got our knickers in twist for a moment there."
Portrait Artist of the Year will air later this year on Sky Arts.
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