I painted Paddy’s portrait in June 2026. I have always admired him because he comes across as a genuine, kind-hearted man who never forgets where he came from. I wasn’t commissioned to paint him. I chose to paint him because I wanted to honour his life, his Traveller heritage and the values he stands for.

There was also a very personal reason why I wanted to paint Paddy. My own family history has given me a deep respect for the Traveller community. My grandparents and great-grandparents came from Ireland and were Travellers connected with the fairground, travelling the country with swing boats. They were known for their resilience, hard work and strong family values. Knowing that this heritage is part of my own ancestry has always made me feel a connection to Traveller history and traditions. In many ways, I felt I understood the pride, strength and loyalty that Paddy represents, and I wanted the portrait to reflect that respect.

Through social media, his family saw the painting and arranged for me to meet Paddy in person to present it to him.

The first thing that struck me was how humble he was. He was genuinely overwhelmed and kept smiling. He thanked me and said he loved it. Seeing his reaction made all the hours of painting worthwhile. He has since shared my artwork on his own social media, which meant a great deal to me.

Every symbol tells part of Paddy’s story.

  • Salford Boxing Club represents where his boxing journey began and the discipline that helped shape him.
  • The boxing glove reflects his fighting spirit, both inside and outside the ring.
  • The Big Brother trophy celebrates the moment he became known to millions while still remaining true to himself.
  • The horse and horseshoe represent his Irish Traveller heritage, family traditions and the pride he has always shown in his roots.

Around the portrait I included the words Respect, Discipline, Honour, Family First, Loyalty, Proud Traveller, Never Back Down and A Man of His Word. These are my own words, chosen because they reflect the qualities I see in Paddy through the way he has lived his life.

Beyond Celebrity Big Brother, Paddy has appeared in My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, featured in numerous television documentaries—including one with Danny Dyer—and has also appeared in a feature film.

Meeting Paddy was exactly as I had hoped. He made me laugh from the moment we met. For a little while I forgot all the pressures of everyday life. As someone who spends most of my time caring for my elderly mother and painting alone in my studio, those few hours were a real lift to my spirits.

He came across as warm, genuine, down to earth and incredibly approachable. That is exactly how I wanted the portrait to feel not just a likeness, but a celebration of the man behind the public image. The fact that he later shared my artwork on his own Facebook page several times meant the world to me, because it showed he genuinely appreciated both the painting and the thought that had gone into telling his story.