Sky TV's ‘Landscape Artist of the Year’ comes to Whitby with new co-host Fearne Cotton

Whitby has played host to filming for the latest series of Sky Arts' much-loved Landscape Artist of the Year, with broadcaster Fearne Cotton joining the programme as its new co-host.

The popular art competition has begun filming its 12th series, with Whitby selected as one of a number of stunning locations across the UK featured in the refreshed format.

Fearne Cotton joins returning presenter Stephen Mangan as co-host, alongside judges Eva Langret and Tai Shan Schierenberg, as 10 artists compete over eight weeks for the coveted title of Landscape Artist of the Year and a prestigious £10,000 commission for the Natural History Museum.

Fearne Cotton said: “I am thrilled to be joining Landscape Artist of the Year as part of the presenting team at Sky Arts

“Art is such an important, emotive and expressive medium for me and I know that the audience is just going to be absolutely blown away by the level of enthusiasm and passion that we see from the artists taking part in the show.

“I can’t wait to be part of that journey and to help them tell their stories.”

Every episode will take place in a location championed by a celebrity with a personal connection to it, challenging the contestants to capture not just the landscape but the emotion and memory it holds.

Up to 100 wildcard artists will gather at every location, and whilst they’re not competing, Stephen, Fearne and the celebrity guest explore their work and reasons for entering.

At the end of each episode, the celebrity champion chooses the artwork that speaks to them most, taking home a painting that captures their connection to the landscape.

Each episode will see a contestant eliminated until the grand finale, where the three remaining artists battle it out for the title of Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year and the £10,000 commission.

Whitby provided the backdrop for one of the episodes, with filming taking place on June 22. While the competing artists battled to impress the judges, an incredible number of wildcard artists also gathered to paint the iconic coastal town.

The new series of Landscape Artist of the Year is expected to air on Sky Arts and NOW in 2027, with Whitby viewers able to look forward to seeing the town showcased to a national audience as one of Britain's most inspiring landscapes.