Charles Saatchi bought My Bed for �150,000

The bed did not win the prize but it was bought by art collector Charles Saatchi for �150,000.

Harris, who has been made both an MBE and OBE, added: "I've always imagined that something to do with art should have something to do with something artistic.

He said the art should be done by "somebody who's studied and learnt how to be extra special with whatever medium they're doing".

The presenter, who is perhaps best-known for presenting the vets' show Animal Hospital, is about to launch a new series on BBC One in which he will look at 19th Century Impressionists.

Harris also presented Cartoon Time

Throughout the series, called Rolf on Art, viewers will see the presenter attempt to recreate scenes painted by famous artists including Monet, Van Gogh, Degas and Gaughin.

He added that he thought most members of the public were "afraid to go into galleries" because they did not know why "something like that is regarded as expensive and important and valuable".

"They feel that they are stupid because they don't understand it," he said.

"And the critics are there saying 'yes it's wonderful this and wonderful that' and I think that Joe Public is just frightened away from galleries just because of that very point."

Emin's anger

But in an interview earlier this week, Emin hit out at people who criticised her art.

"It's not so easy as everyone thinks," she said.

"First you have this amazing inspiration and then you need the conviction to do it and persuade others what it is, and that takes a long time.

"If people say it's a joke or a confidence trick I'd say they're not very interested in art."

Rolf On Art is due to be broadcast this Autumn on BBC One.