Gyles Brandreth has decided he wants to be cremated when he dies and some of his ashes used in a painting.
Gyles Brandreth has come up with a unique idea of what to do with his ashes when he dies
The 75-year-old broadcaster - who is a regular contributor on 'This Morning' - has beginning to have doubts about being buried in a cemetery and his mind has turned to alternatives.
Gyles - who has been married to wife Michele, with whom he has three adult children, for over 50 years - has come up with the novel idea of sharing some of his cremated remains with an artist who can immortalise him in a work of art.
Writing in The Oldie magazine, he said: “I used to think I wanted a proper burial in a graveyard, with a handsome headstone, but I am beginning to have doubts. Graveyards can be pretty bleak in winter and, over time, headstones can be moved or vandalised and inscription often fades away.
"I have always liked the story of the Yorkshire lady who put her ashes into a handsome boxwood hourglass - it looked like a large egg-timer - explaining, 'He did nowt useful during in his life. He can do something useful now he's dead.'
"My current idea is to bequeath a portion of my ashes to a notable artist and invite them to mix a bit of me into their paint, so that I might end up on one of their canvases, and possibly even on the wall of a great art gallery.”
Gyles likes the idea that he can live on in an artwork that can be admired for generations to come.
He added: “‘I suppose, AA Milne reflected, 'that every one of us hopes secretly for immortality.' If I haven't created a lasting work of art in my time, it's nice to think I could be a small part of one once I'm gone.
“Artists friends of mine, please note: there will be a modest legacy attached to the request.”