Rolf Harris, whose show Rolf on Art is the most watched arts programme ever screened, is to be honoured with an exhibition of his work at the National Gallery.

The Animal Hospital host will display works based on such masterpieces as Monet's Waterlilies and Van Gogh's Sunflowers.

For the first time in many years, I felt the joy as I painted

Rolf Harris

Harris said the exhibition, which runs from 2 November until December, was "the dream of a lifetime".

"As an artist there is no higher recognition than to be invited to have my paintings exhibited in the National Gallery, one of the finest galleries in the world," he said.

"The great British institutions the BBC and the National Gallery are two of the custodians of our cultural heritage.

"I am immensely proud and honoured to be associated with both of them."

Runaway success

The exhibition is to tie in with a new series of Rolf on Art, to be screened next month.

The first series, in which Harris looked at the work of famous artists and attempted some of their techniques himself, proved a runaway success for the BBC.

He said: "During the making of Rolf on Art, I was genuinely inspired to do more painting. In fact, I haven't put my brushes down since.

Harris is the frontman of BBC One's Animal Hospital

"For the first time in many years, I felt the joy as I painted, of sharing my thoughts and my tips with the audience.

"The thought of being able to do it all again is hugely exciting."

Charles Saumarez Smith, director of the National Gallery, said he was "delighted" to be able to display Harris's work.

He said the public would also be able to see "free paintings by the artists that inspired him, such as the great impressionists Monet and Degas and masters such as Van Gogh and Rousseau".

Toulouse-Lautrec, Klimt and Rodin are among the painters Harris will focus on in the new series of Rolf on Art.

This time he will be making posters, using sculpture and creating a mural frieze, as well as painting in the style of his chosen artist.