British actor Stephen Mangan says he had the 'bizarre' experience of lockdown beginning as he was filming a movie about a pandemic.
Like many film, TV and film professionals, the Green Wing and The Split star says he doesn't know when he'll have the opportunity to start filming again.
In the meantime, Mr Mangan is returning to screens this week to host the latest series of the hit show Portrait Artist of the Year.
Speaking on The Hard Shoulder, the actor said he's happy he has the opportunity to present the popular show while much of the film and TV industry is at a standstill.
He said: "I don't know when I'll actually get to act again. We're supposed to be making another series of The Split in March... fingers crossed things will be in a good place then.
"I do a lot of theatre - your heart goes out to anyone who relies on theatre for a living. Not just the actors, but all the background staff... it's a very difficult time.
"I was in the Middle East making a movie about a pandemic when lockdown started in March.
"[It's] a film written four years ago, featuring everyone wearing masks, running to airports, queueing for food... it was just bizarre watching that actually happening around the world as we were shooting it."
Portrait Artist of the Year
Portrait Artist of the Year - which returns to screens on Sky Arts from tonight - has proven a hit, and is one of Hard Shoulder presenter Kieran Cuddihy's favourite shows.
It sees three celebrities sit down and pose for portraits by amateur and professional artists. The winning artists progress to the next of the contest, before a winner is eventually crowned.
What's the appeal the show that has won over so many viewers?
Mr Mangan observed: "It's basically Bake Off, but on Bake Off you can't taste the cake. With our programme, you can see what we see in the studio - artists creating wonderful works of art in four hours.
"People say to me it's the most calming, relaxing and absorbing programme... and they're right.
"I'm absolutely hopeless at art, so to sit and watch nine talented people draw a portrait from beginning to end... it's a form of magic to me."
He suggested it's 'incredible' how dramatic the process is.
He said: "[Some artists] start poorly... and then they pull it out of the bag at the last minute. Or people are painting a wonderful portrait and muck it up.
"Put nine artists in front of someone, and they all come up with a completely different portrait.
"Another joy is seeing the moment where the portrait is revealed, and see the sitters confronted with the portrait of themselves and how they react. Sometimes, a portrait is not necessarily how you see yourself."
You can watch season seven of Portrait Artist of the Year on Sky Arts from 8pm on Wednesday nights.
