A RETIRED Greenock optician has been picked from thousands of hopefuls to star in the BBC’s new prime time ‘Bake Off-style’ painting show.

Art lover Jimmy Mackellar won a slot on the Big Painting Challenge, which starts on our screens this weekend.

The 70-year-old took up painting seriously again after retiring from his family firm Reid Mackellar in West Blackhall Street.

With the opticians in safe hands with his son and daughter, Jimmy was free to express himself.

Now he will be one of 10 contestants battling it out to get through each week on our screens in the show presented by Mariella Frostrup and Reverend Richard Coles.