Here's the full story from Nick, of how this commission came about:

"I was invited back onto Extraordinary Portraits, and I was truly overwhelmed when Bill Bailey revealed that I would be sculpting Darryn and telling his remarkable story. It was a real honour.

Darryn is the man who, armed only with a narwhal tusk, helped prevent what could have been an even more devastating terrorist attack on London Bridge. His courage protected countless lives. But beyond that moment, his story is one of quiet strength, humility, and compassion.

This piece became deeply personal to me. I poured my heart and soul into it, working fifteen-hour days to complete it within the tight timeframe. Darryn himself was not easy to read—he’s not someone who speaks readily about his own experiences. The trauma he endured left him with PTSD, and he resists being seen as a hero. Instead, he consistently redirects attention to his charity and the people he helps. That’s when I realised: Darryn is an extraordinary empath. His instinct to protect others, even at great personal risk, comes from a profound sense of empathy.

The narwhal tusk, therefore, had to be reimagined. It was never a weapon—it was a shield. A symbol of protection, not aggression.

As I sculpted, I found myself processing both his story and my own emotions. I came to see that Darryn had been deeply affected—damaged, even—by what happened. Yet from that chaos, he has rebuilt himself. This led me to incorporate the philosophy of kintsugi—the Japanese art of repairing broken things with gold, making them more beautiful and valuable because of their history. In the sculpture, the tusk is broken and repaired, and those golden threads run through his entire body. They represent how he has transformed pain into purpose, becoming stronger and inspiring others to do the same.At the last moment, I felt compelled to add a weight to his shoulders. This evolved into a dice, marked with the number one—a reminder that he has only one life, and that it must be protected, even as he continues to live it for others.

I was nervous about the unveiling. I chose to reveal not only his strength, but also his sadness and vulnerability—elements he often conceals. I felt it was important for both him and his loved ones to see this truth.

I sculpted his arms separately, allowing him, on the day, to physically pick up the narwhal tusk and reposition his hands. His hands represent action—the instruments of change. In doing so, he is given a choice: to reconnect, to reclaim, and to move forward beyond what happened.

Ultimately, I wanted this piece to make a difference in his life. I believe it captures his strength, his kindness, and, most importantly, his truth."

The work is on display at the RCA Lower Gallery in Conwy, as part of the New Members Exhibition, from Saturday 28th March 2026.

The TV programme is available to view online via BBC iPlayer https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/...