Tony Hart has revealed that he has been forced to give up art after suffering two strokes.

Hart told The Times:

“It has been my lifetime passion, but I endeavour to stay cheerful as there is nothing to be done about my condition.”

He continued: “My whole life has changed since my strokes. After breakfast I would adjourn to my studio, built in my garden, until 4pm when I would change my shoes and set forth on a four-mile Gurkha-pace-jog through the Surrey hills.

“Today my studio lies abandoned and I spend most of my day confined to my chair.”

Hart has prevriously presented TV shows such as Vision On, Take Heart and Hart Beat.

“My aged heart is warmed by the lovely letters and emails I receive, especially when they tell me that my work on television inspired the writers to become artists,” he said.