Country retreat buys image of Chris Cantrill immortalised in the buff

Visitors to an imposing Victorian country home will be greeted by this nude portrait of comedian Chris Cantrill.

It was painted by fellow comic Poppy Hilstead to help raise funds for her eponymous web series.

And Peter Jaques-Walker, who owns Brownber Hall in Cumbria, bought the six-foot portrait, which will not take pride of place in the property.

‘I just loved it!’ he told Chortle. ‘I thought it kind of hilarious. Also, in art history terms, isn't good to see a giant male nude?

‘We've got a fairly extensive collection of wonderful – and also weird – art at Brownber Hall, so we are planning on displaying it there. Brownber Hall is part of our hospitality business, and I think guest will love it!’

He declined to reveal how much he paid for the piece,  saying only: ‘I think I have got a bargain and I bet Poppy thinks she is ripping me off!’

Cantrill, who is also half of The Delightful Sausage comedy duo, plays Hilstead’s boyfriend Bunion in her series, and she titled her piece Bunion in Blue.

 Hilstead is currently crowdfunding for the second series of Poppy – which also stars  Stuart Laws, Amy Gledhill, Rob Auton and Ed Aczel – here. The project is already more than 60 per cent funded

Published: 21 Jul 2023