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Extraordinary Portraits with Bill Bailey S05E02
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00:01None of us know what surprises life has in store for us.
00:05But all around are everyday heroes.
00:08Ordinary people showing amazing bravery, courage and determination.
00:12I was holding him by the wrist so that he couldn't blow up the bomb.
00:15When I opened my eyes, I was on the hospital bed, all handcuffed.
00:19I've competed in eight Ironman triathlons.
00:22And I'm here to give them the recognition they deserve.
00:26I've assembled a crack team of artists, painters and sculptors
00:29to immortalize these unsung heroes with a unique series of portraits.
00:34This is the hardest bit for you, isn't it, Eddie?
00:36Sitting still. We were just looking at you.
00:39Can you look at me with your eyes?
00:41It's not going to be easy.
00:43I've been in my own personal hell.
00:45The reveals are not that far away now.
00:47If this second cast fails, I'm done.
00:50There's a big sense of responsibility to capture their story.
00:54But the results are going to be amazing.
00:56I've put my heart and soul into this.
00:58Three, two, one.
01:02Fantastic.
01:03Quite blown away, to be honest.
01:04I wasn't thinking you were going to make me cry.
01:07Sorry, I'm getting a bit emotional.
01:09Creating a legacy for generations to come.
01:12I want to remember them like that.
01:14I'm struggling to find right words because there's no words.
01:18To have us captured in that moment, in that spot that means so much,
01:22is an absolute privilege.
01:25Welcome to Extraordinary Portraits.
01:36We're often told as we get older, we're supposed to take it easy.
01:40Slow down a bit.
01:41Don't exert yourself.
01:42But our sitter today has basically said, that's a little of nonsense.
01:47She is living proof, if further proof were needed, that age is just a number.
01:56Eddie, aka Iron Gran, started her fitness journey in her 50s, with her first marathon.
02:03She learned to swim at 60, and at 72, became the oldest British woman to complete an Ironman triathlon.
02:09Now 82, she's not slowing down.
02:13She continues to inspire others through her charity, Promoting Fitness for Older Adults.
02:18Hello.
02:19Edwina.
02:20Oh, yeah.
02:21How lovely to meet you.
02:22And you.
02:23Step this way.
02:25To my artist's retreat.
02:35Firstly, I have to ask, I hear that your nickname is Iron Gran.
02:41Yes.
02:41That's based on the fact that I've competed in eight Ironman triathlons.
02:46Just remind me what that comprises of.
02:48A swim of 2.2, I think, kilometre, and then 180 kilometres on the bike, and then a marathon.
02:57A full marathon on top of that.
02:58That's an amazing achievement.
03:00It sounds like you have been into fitness for your whole life, but that's not the case, is it?
03:06Absolutely not.
03:07Most people, when they get in their 50s and 60s, they start thinking about slowing down a little bit,
03:13and not taking on marathons.
03:14I think it was the death of my husband that spurred me on to undertake a challenge like that.
03:22Right.
03:23Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.
03:24He was given six months to live, and in fact only had two months.
03:28But we were able to talk about the future, and that I was the lucky one.
03:33And I would be going on immediately after, almost, he died.
03:37You know, you go out for a walk with friends or a run up a hill, and that, I think,
03:42was crucial.
03:43Right. What keeps you going there, Eddie?
03:45I think the motivation is that I am 82 years old and healthier ageing.
03:52Yes.
03:52That is so important to me.
03:55Yes.
03:55It underpins the SilverFit charity.
03:57Tell me about SilverFit, then.
03:58We meet up, do some exercise, and then meet up socially for a cup of tea or coffee.
04:04And I think it's a brilliant idea.
04:05So it wasn't going to be running a marathon or anything as extreme as that.
04:09So we did cheerleading for a while with silver pom-poms.
04:13But the key element is the social element.
04:16Absolutely.
04:17So I think perhaps, you know, older people who are on their own, maybe they've lost a partner.
04:22And it may be hard for them to make those social connections.
04:27Yeah.
04:27And what you're offering is that.
04:29Yeah.
04:29Through fitness and exercise.
04:31And having fun.
04:32And having fun.
04:34That's the key issue, isn't it?
04:36That's the key element.
04:37Yeah.
04:37What do your family think about this portrait?
04:42I think they were a bit surprised.
04:43Right.
04:43I'm a mum.
04:45It's going to be fun.
04:47You're right.
04:48I'm going to go and get the artist, so you sit tight.
04:52OK.
04:59Hi, everyone.
05:00How's it going?
05:01All right?
05:02Yeah, good.
05:03So, well, today's sitter, what an amazing character she is.
05:07Her nickname is Iron Gran.
05:09Oh, yeah.
05:11She's now in her 80s, but she's competed in marathons, Ironman competitions.
05:19She's a marvel.
05:21And so, for this reason, I thought that, Caroline, this would be right up your street.
05:28Yes.
05:29Yes.
05:30Good.
05:30Well, that's good.
05:31I mean, this is the sort of thing that you painted in the past.
05:34Older people with great stories, especially women, is my...
05:38Yeah, I couldn't have picked better than if I had done it myself, Phil.
05:41Great.
05:42There you go.
05:43Yeah.
05:43Perfect.
05:43All right.
05:44Well, come with me and I'll fill you in on the way.
05:46See you later, guys.
05:47See you later.
05:47Cheers.
05:55Eddie, this is Caroline.
05:57Hi.
05:58Oh, lovely.
05:59Hello.
05:59Nice to meet you.
06:00Yeah.
06:01Wow.
06:02When you think of yourself being immortalised in paint, is there any part of your life that you want to
06:10sort of be included?
06:11I think it is an element of having fun.
06:14Yeah.
06:15So I'm not sure how we...
06:16Yeah.
06:17The wisdom of age with the playfulness and freedom to...
06:22Yeah.
06:22Yeah.
06:22Have fun.
06:23Yeah.
06:23Yeah.
06:24I love that.
06:24Well, no time like the present.
06:27There's a lot to do.
06:29I'm going to let you go.
06:30So, see you soon.
06:32High five.
06:33Thanks, Phil.
06:33See you, Caroline.
06:34Good luck.
06:45Not only are they going to create a wonderful portrait, they're going to have an absolute ball.
06:50She's an incredible character and a fantastic subject for Caroline.
06:57This is a perfect match.
07:14I want to know everything there is to know about Eddie before the Iron Grand Eddie.
07:20Painting a portrait is more than just a face at the end of the day, it's a story, it's a
07:26narrative.
07:29Today, Caroline wants to capture Eddie's physicality.
07:39Eddie, where do you find the energy for this?
07:42I just enjoy it.
07:44Yeah.
07:44I think having a challenge or an end goal is quite useful.
07:49Yeah.
07:50I'm going to take some photos of you where you all posed.
08:01Eddie is like this larger than life personality, but there is this real warmth to her and this real human
08:10side that I want to find more about.
08:26How was that?
08:28It was good.
08:29Yes.
08:30Lovely warm water.
08:31Fab.
08:32Yes.
08:32I didn't swim at all until I was 60 years old.
08:36Really?
08:36Yeah.
08:39For her painting to be more than just a likeness, Caroline needs to understand what makes Eddie tick.
08:45And this is my flat.
08:47Go on, you really get the sun in here.
08:49And you've got all of your...
08:51And that's my three children and that was my husband.
08:53Yeah.
08:54Oh, it's a lovely family photo.
08:56Yeah.
08:56And I can't help but notice all of your awards over here.
09:00I was second in my age group, 2005, in the London Marathon.
09:06And I'm delighted that now, if I did the same time, I'd be 200th.
09:13There are so many more women running brilliantly.
09:15Amazing.
09:16I think it's great.
09:16Yeah.
09:20You were talking about your dear husband and I couldn't help but think that maybe that
09:27was a huge part of your motivation.
09:30We had three months to, you know, to talk about the fact that I would be able to make
09:36the most of life.
09:37Yeah.
09:37That was the catalyst of, you know, I am the one that gets to go on and...
09:43And it was also quite important in recovery terms, you know, to make the most of your
09:50life, to have the fun and be the lucky one.
09:53Yeah.
09:53Well, cheers to Philip.
09:54Cheers.
09:54And everything you've done in his name.
09:58You have literally taken the baton.
10:00Yeah, yeah.
10:00He'd be really proud.
10:01I hope so.
10:02Yeah.
10:12The majority of the time she exudes this positivity and vitality and energy about her.
10:20But I know that's not the only Eddie that exists.
10:24I know that there's loads of other sides to her.
10:27All the edges amount to like a really, really interesting, complex and wonderful woman.
10:41Exciting news today.
10:43My canvas arrived.
10:44I think it's the biggest canvas I have potentially painted on before.
10:52It's quite intimidating.
11:02I'm here in this actually rather lovely spot on the banks of the River Thames.
11:06I'm here to meet Caroline, find out how the process is going.
11:11Hello.
11:12Hi, Phil.
11:12How are you doing?
11:14I'm good, thanks.
11:14How are you?
11:15Yeah, what a lovely spot this is.
11:17It's roasting.
11:17It's just been really fascinating to get to know her and chat more about her motivation
11:22and what really drives her and what she does.
11:25Yeah.
11:25And you think that that is something which is going to inform the way that you approach
11:31the painting?
11:32When I first met her, I came in thinking a certain direction.
11:36Yeah.
11:36And the more I learn about her, the more that just fractures into all these different components
11:42and leaves my head spinning.
11:43No pressure.
11:47Over 35,000 people have taken part in the exercise sessions run by Eddie's charity.
11:53Hello, ladies.
11:54Welcome.
11:54Welcome.
11:55Good morning, good morning.
11:56Here's your pose for today.
11:58Thank you very much.
11:59Weight over your toes, looking as far ahead as you can.
12:02Let's go.
12:04Come on.
12:10Come on.
12:12Come on.
12:16Come on.
12:17Come on.
12:19Come on, keep up with you.
12:20Yes.
12:23Did you just tell me you've signed up for another Ironman?
12:27Half Ironman.
12:28Half Ironman.
12:29Half Ironman.
12:29Oh, you lightweight.
12:31Yeah.
12:31Yeah.
12:35So, Pat, how would you describe Eddie as a person?
12:39I mean, she's an absolute inspiration.
12:41Really?
12:41Yeah.
12:41And we have supported each other enormously with all sorts of things.
12:46Yeah.
12:46It's emotional fitness.
12:47We've built up resilience because we've become friends and we can talk about anything.
12:53You know?
12:54There's hope.
12:54There's hope in it, isn't there?
12:55It's invaluable.
12:56It's clearly made a big impact on you.
12:58And not just me, though.
13:00I mean, that face, you very, very rarely see anything but that smile.
13:04Aw.
13:04Really, really, really, really.
13:06And that's part of the inspiration as well, of course.
13:14Right.
13:16Brilliant.
13:18Thanks very much, Radia.
13:19Thank you so much.
13:26I'm a bit stuck.
13:27It's almost like I've got too many options.
13:29Just trying to edit it down and pick the right one.
13:35I have about five different floating Eddie heads, all with different expressions.
13:42Parts of Eddie's character, but all quite different.
13:46Option one, it's kind of a cheeky Eddie.
13:49I love the glint in her eye.
13:51I really like this expression.
13:54She's looking away from the camera.
13:57She's looking towards something else.
13:59You're instantly wondering what she's thinking about.
14:02This one's definitely more confrontational because she's just head on, kind of like,
14:07don't mess with me.
14:08Generally, for me, it's all very instinctive when choosing the right image to work from.
14:19Caroline is torn between portraying Eddie's larger-than-life persona, as most people see it, and a more unexpected side.
14:28Lovely to meet you.
14:30Hello.
14:31Nice to meet you.
14:32Nice to meet you too.
14:32Nice to meet Tilly.
14:33She's hoping Eddie's family might help her decide.
14:37Do you call her grandma or nan?
14:39Eddie.
14:40We tend to call her Eddie.
14:41Occasionally, I might call her gran.
14:43Oh.
14:43She doesn't like her.
14:44Is she not?
14:45She's very much not the kind of a soppy, like, granny.
14:49I'm at a bit of a juncture where I don't really know which way to go.
14:55I think she fills her life with everything.
14:57She's incredibly sociable, but always has been.
15:00Yeah.
15:01I think her phrase of, I'm the lucky one, really has sort of made her embrace life, hasn't it?
15:07To its absolute fullest.
15:08This hollow mantra, yeah.
15:09You know, it doesn't matter where we are, what we're doing, if an opportunity came up and...
15:14She just takes it.
15:15Yeah, she'll take it completely, even if she's way out of her comfort zone.
15:19Making the most of each day.
15:20She fills every single minute of her life.
15:23Yeah, 100%.
15:23That's genuine.
15:24Yeah.
15:25100%.
15:26Growing up, we would spend every single second on our feet, going somewhere, doing something.
15:32That's genuinely her.
15:34Like, she just doesn't want to sit still.
15:35I think, you know, most people do therapy and I think she took up running.
15:38Yeah.
15:39She found that really, really supportive.
15:41Yeah.
15:41Just like an onion.
15:43Lots of different layers.
15:45This has been really helpful.
15:47You know, it really has.
16:02Part of my process when I'm trying to figure out ideas for compositions is to go through existing paintings.
16:08Asking myself, what is it about this that works for me?
16:13Why does it excite me?
16:14These are really interesting.
16:17We've got Manet and a couple of Van Goghs and they're all women sitting in chairs.
16:23I quite like the juxtaposition of having Eddie seated.
16:30Her whole thing with Silverfoot is she's trying to galvanize this energy, getting these people out of their stereotypical armchairs.
16:46Caroline has taken hundreds of candid shots, which together with some inspiration from the old masters have given her an
16:52idea for the composition.
16:54Hello.
16:55Hi, Bill.
16:55Hi, Caroline. How are you doing?
16:56I'm good. How are you?
16:57Great. Really well.
17:00So, what's the plan today?
17:02So, I've got this idea with a chair that I've seen in Eddie's flat, which I think would make a
17:07really interesting compositional and metaphorical device.
17:11All right. Well, I'm here to help in any way.
17:13Cool. Let's go.
17:14Let's do it.
17:17So, where do you want this thing?
17:18I think we should put it over here because I want the light to fall across her face.
17:23Okay.
17:23So, around here.
17:25All right. How's that?
17:26It's good, I think.
17:28Oh.
17:30Well, her face is a map of the world, is a map of the world. You can see she's a
17:36beautiful girl, she's a beautiful girl.
17:40I kind of like the idea of the chair being outside.
17:43Yeah.
17:44Do you know, like, what's happening here?
17:47Eddie's sitting on her throne. Everything is a device within a composition.
17:51All the things that are important to you that you want to put across is what the viewer has to
17:56see first.
17:57And everything around her is a silver pool of light.
18:02People who surround her feel the benefit of it, it makes you count.
18:07This is the hardest fit for you, isn't it, Eddie?
18:10No.
18:10Sitting still.
18:12No, that's not fair.
18:13I can't imagine you repose in an armchair for too long.
18:16No, that's true.
18:17And your hand.
18:21My daughter, when she realises these are longer shorts, I've just cut the bottom off.
18:26And she'll say, Mother, couldn't you find some better shorts?
18:31Now we can have some fun.
18:33Yeah, that's it. There you go. Look at that.
18:36Can we try and cross your legs? Cross your legs?
18:39Yeah, perfect.
18:44The biggest challenge for me will be finding that split-second image that encapsulates everything that she stands for.
18:54That's the challenge.
18:56I'm really happy with your work today, Eddie. Thank you so much.
19:00I think we should head off. Great. That's a wrap.
19:03Fantastic.
19:05All right, let's...
19:09So I'll just... I'll just take this then, shall I?
19:13I know my place in this scenario.
19:21I feel utterly exhausted, physically, emotionally drained. The last few weeks have been really tough.
19:30When something isn't going well and you know you just have to get up and get on with it and
19:35keep going.
19:36It's more than motivation, it is discipline.
19:48Pom-poms are part of her story and it's part of the playfulness of her.
19:55I've been in my own personal hell trying to battle that. I've not gone for an obvious Eddie expression.
20:05I think it's right and I think it's made for a really thought-provoking painting.
20:13But there's always that niggly thing in the back of your head that's like, have I completely missed the mark?
20:19And the reveal is next week. There's still a fair bit to do.
20:30It has taken more than 500 hours of painting. The pom-poms alone took more than three weeks.
20:37But Caroline is finally ready.
20:40Aha! Hey!
20:42Bill!
20:43Caroline, how are you doing?
20:45Good, thanks. How are you?
20:46Good. So, this is it.
20:49I've got a van.
20:51Blimey. It's a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be.
20:54It's a bit of a beast.
20:55Yeah.
20:55A bit of a two-person carry.
20:58Okay.
20:59The biggest one I've ever painted, Bill.
21:03Really?
21:03Yes.
21:04Wow.
21:12Eddie has brought her close friends with her for the big day.
21:23This has been quite the project for you, hasn't it?
21:27Yes.
21:28It's been all-consuming, yeah. It's been intense.
21:31How are you feeling?
21:32How are you feeling?
21:33I'm excited.
21:34Yes.
21:35So excited.
21:36Yes.
21:37Yes.
21:38It's quite a size.
21:40Do you...
21:40Are you going to need a hand with the reveal?
21:42I think I'll be all right, Bill, but I will have to do a switcheroo and use these steps.
21:47Right, okay.
21:47From my little legs.
21:49I cannot reach the bar.
21:50All right, then.
21:51Yeah.
21:51Well, if you're ready, I'll go and get Eddie and her guests.
21:54Cheers.
21:56Cheers.
21:58Portrait viewing.
22:00This way.
22:07Welcome.
22:09Today's the big day, the big reveal.
22:12How are you feeling?
22:13So excited.
22:15Good.
22:16That is the correct answer.
22:19Caroline, how are you feeling about all this?
22:23I feel great about it, actually.
22:25I just...
22:26I really hope that I have done you justice.
22:30I can't wait.
22:34Okay.
22:35Take a deep breath.
22:39Caroline, shall we do the honours?
22:47Here we go.
22:49Three.
22:50Two.
22:51One.
23:05Fantastic.
23:06It's brilliant.
23:07It's amazing, Eddie.
23:14Oh, Caroline.
23:15It is very emotional for me.
23:17That's me saying, where are you, Phil?
23:21And I think you knew that because we talked about the loss of my husband, and the sadness,
23:26and yet the importance of physical activity in my recovery.
23:32It's just you to a T.
23:37I can't say anything.
23:38I can't say anything.
23:39I can't say anything.
23:41Thank you for knowing me.
23:43It's as if Eddie's just going to leap out of that chair, and that's Eddie.
23:49It is the Eddie.
23:51It is the Eddie that I know, but it's sort of a more, maybe a bit more pensive.
23:56It's a sort of different side to her.
23:58Her face, everything about the picture inspires you.
24:01It shows her determination, definitely.
24:05You look stately there.
24:07I mean, Caroline's really captured you.
24:10You're so strong, and it really does come out.
24:15It's just wonderful.
24:16I just could just watch this all day.
24:19It's beautiful.
24:25It's capturing Eddie sitting still, which he very rarely does.
24:30It's just wonderful.
24:33I'm so happy that you understand,
24:37because I feel like we really did connect on a deeper level
24:41about all kinds of parts of your life.
24:44I really wanted to explore the Eddie behind the smile,
24:48and what I discovered after many, many chats with you
24:53is this steely, determined strength
24:57that's at the core of everything that you do.
25:00I think Caroline captured an emotional moment
25:04when I was looking up there.
25:06I did lose my husband and, you know, still remain very sad about that,
25:11but I am the lucky one,
25:12and I've always wanted to make the most of my life.
25:16I think you've captured that fantastically.
25:20And I'm going to get emotional,
25:21because I found it so profound
25:23when you were generous enough to share with me
25:26about some of your final conversations with him.
25:30One of them was the you're the lucky one,
25:33and it's stuck in my head every day I've been painting you.
25:37Oh!
25:38Because you are.
25:39You're living for the both of you.
25:42Yes.
25:42Which is what I wanted to convey in this.
25:46Yeah.
25:46But also, I don't think you look sad in it.
25:50I think there's this twinkly sort of hopeful determination.
25:54Oh, Caroline, it's just incredible.
25:58Come here.
25:58Lovely to see you.
26:00Thank you so much.
26:02You're welcome.
26:03You're welcome.
26:03I think that from listening to all of your reactions,
26:08I think so much about your life has been captured in this painting.
26:13We live in a society where the elderly are marginalised.
26:19Yeah.
26:20Ignored.
26:21Yeah.
26:22Abandoned at times.
26:24And yet, here's a person in their 80s who's saying,
26:30look at me, look at what I can do,
26:34and listen to me because I've got things to say.
26:37Everything that you do is inspirational.
26:39Oh, gosh, thank you.
26:41There's a lot in this portrait.
26:44I mean, you can probably tell from where you are,
26:46but there is so much wonderful detail in here.
26:49What we're going to do now is Caroline and I are going to step out
26:53and invite you all to come forward and have a closer look.
26:57Oh, wow.
26:58OK.
26:59See you in a bit.
27:00Yeah.
27:03Wow.
27:05Oh, my goodness.
27:08Look at that hair.
27:10Tattoo.
27:11Yeah.
27:11Yeah.
27:12No, that's New York triathlon.
27:14How is it?
27:22Hello.
27:23How did it go?
27:25Yeah, it went really well.
27:26Thanks.
27:27Emotional?
27:29Yeah, but in a joyful way.
27:31It was like a real celebration.
27:34Before I even explained my thought process, they immediately got it.
27:45Wonderful reactions from her friends.
27:48I think they really responded to the kind of other side of her that Caroline captured, the more thoughtful, the
27:57more pensive side.
27:58And also, she did capture that sense of mischief and that sense of outgoing fun that really she represents.
28:06I think this shows you what portraiture is capable of, is that it can show a fantastic likeness, but it
28:14also tells you a lot about the person.
28:16It tells you who they are and it tells you a little bit about their history. And that's what portraiture
28:23is about.
28:36A totally clean crime scene on the way next. Something doesn't sound right. Stay with us for Beyond Paradise.
28:41And I'll see you next time.
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