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		</div><p>Sister Wendy Beckett, the Roman Catholic nun who became an unlikely television star in the UK in later life, has died aged 88.</p>
<p>Sister Wendy found unexpected fame in the 1990s presenting a series of popular art programmes for the BBC.</p>
<p>She died at the Carmelite Monastery in Quidenham in Norfolk today.</p>
<p>Her credits include Sister Wendy’s Odyssey (1992) and Sister Wendy’s Grand Tour (1994).</p>
<p>Jonty Claypole, the BBC’s director of arts, said: <em>“Sister Wendy had a unique presentation style, a deep knowledge of and passion for the arts.</em></p>
<p><em>“She was a hugely popular BBC presenter and will be fondly remembered by us all. We’re thinking of her loved ones at this time.”</em></p>
<p>Xinran Xue, a close friend, said: <em>“It is very sad news. Many people see her as a religious person and she was far more than that.</em></p>
<p><em>“It’s a huge loss for the art world. She was a brilliant art critic.”</em></p>
<p>Sister Wendy was born in South Africa in 1930 and raised in Edinburgh where her father studied medicine.</p>
<p>At 16 she joined a convent and in 1950 was awarded a Congratulatory First Class degree in English literature from Oxford University. She later taught in cities including Cape Town and Liverpool.</p>
<p>She began studying fine art in the 1980s and wrote a book on the subject to raise money for her convent.</p>
<p>Contemporary Women Artists, published in 1988, was followed by more books.</p>
<p>She lived a hermit-like existence in a caravan in Norfolk until 1991 when the BBC commissioned her to present a television documentary on the National Gallery in London.</p>
<p>Sister Wendy became well-loved for her unique presenting style. She would stand in front of paintings in galleries around the world and discuss, without autocue, the work in detail.</p>
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