HE is one of the North East’s best loved actors, but an earlier part of his artistic life is to provide a surprise charity boost.
Kevin Whately was amazed to be told that a painting he did at the age of 18 in 1969 had been unearthed by a Northumberland villager.
Sue Hickman, of Simonburn, had the painting – described as a Picasso-style profile – for years without knowing the identity of its famous creator.
But when she took the pastel from its frame, she found Mr Whately’s signature in the exposed margin.
“I couldn’t believe it,” said Sue. “Kevin comes from nearby Humshaugh village and the painting had come to me from a member of my family and lain there for several years.
“I wanted to use the plain black frame for something else, and when I took the painting out, there was Kevin’s name. I was certainly surprised, to say the least.”
Sue tracked down Whately’s London agents and received a signed letter of authentication from the star, who remembered the teenage artwork and said he had painted it with his first-ever set of oils.
His agent Belinda Wright told Sue: “We have seen the drawing and confirm that he did paint it.
