Actress Denise Welch's husband Lincoln Townley has a brush with six-figure stardom

Self-taught painter Lincoln Townley’s artworks of Tinseltown acting royalty are already commanding prices of up to £100,000.

But now the 43-year-old artist – who has been hailed as the next Andy Warhol by Sir Michael Caine – is turning his talents to Scottish sports stars.

Manchester United legend Willie Morgan – a friend of Denise and Lincoln’s – has already commissioned a portrait.

And he’s also putting the final touches to one of “Flying Scot” Sir Jackie Stewart in his trademark tartan cap.

“It’s really taking off,” said the artist, who married new EastEnders star Denise, 57, four years ago.

“I’ve done a lot of famous faces from Hollywood and wanted to move away from that to paint the people who I think of as sporting icons. I always paint from photos of them and add in my own style.

“For Willie Morgan, I wanted to get in the red for Manchester United and the blue for Scotland to show his commitment to club and country.

“I went to drop it off at his house the other day and he was really pleased with it.”

Lincoln got his big break in Hollywood painting A-listers such as Charlie Sheen, Al Pacino and Nick Nolte.

Earlier this year, he delivered a painting of Sir Michael Caine to the 82-year-old’s London flat.

On the back of his huge success, a magazine commissioned a series of portraits of Formula 1 racing legends, including one of three-time world champion Stewart.

Lincoln, whose grandad taught him to paint when he was eight, said: “I’m trying to capture Jackie in his days of Formula 1 in the early 1970s.

“He was quite a funky guy, well dressed in his tartan hat!”

Meanwhile, London-born Lincoln is looking forward to former Loose Woman Denise’s first appearance in EastEnders.

Geordie Denise, 57, who played Coronation Street barmaid Natalie Barnes for three years, will play Alison Slater, the mum of transgender character Kyle.

Denise has previously said: “I’m thrilled to be part of such an iconic show. I have friends in the cast and can’t wait to start.”

Last night Lincoln described his wife as his “favourite actress”, adding: “It is great for her to be in EastEnders. I think she’s getting back to her roots. It’s taken a long time for producers to recognise what an amazing actress she is.”

Many of Lincoln Townsley’s portraits will go on show at a Royal Academy show in June.

For more information visit lincolntownley.com

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