David Farnor | On 20, Sep 2019

Channel 4 has picked up The Great Pottery Throw Down for a new series.

The competition programme follows 12 passionate, home potters as they strive to create their most intricate and imaginative work, before their pieces are judged. The show hails from Love Productions, which also produced The Great British Bake Off. Throw Down aired for two seasons on the BBC, after Bake Off was poached for Channel 4. Now, after the Been dedicated to axe the series, Channel 4 has resurrected Bake Off’s cousin to join it in their new home.

Melanie Sykes will join the series as host, alongside returning judge and master potter Keith Brymer Jones and new judge and award-winning ceramicist Sue Pryke. The expert judging duo will also be joined by a variety of well-known faces and experts from the world of pottery. Throughout the series, Keith, Sue and guest judges will demonstrate specialist techniques and offer advice, ultimately deciding which potter becomes Potter of the Week – and which potter must be sent home.

Sykes says: “I am so pleased to have been asked to present The Great Pottery Throw Down. I am a huge fan of art in all its forms and love being around creative people. It’s such a feel good, inspiring show and it is an honour and a thrill to be working on it.”

Pryke adds: “I was thrilled to be asked to be a judge for The Great Pottery Throw Down. It’s such brilliant programme for championing pottery and I’m delighted to be joining the team.  I love ceramics and the show has been really influential in getting people switched on and interested in pottery. It’s an exciting show to watch and I can’t wait to find out who Britain’s best home potter is going to be!”
Sarah Lazenby, Head of Features and Formats, Channel 4 said: “We all need more joyous escapism in our lives, so we’re thrilled to welcome The Great Pottery Throw Down to the channel. Sue’s stellar ceramic skills make her the perfect judge to join pottery don Keith and with the delightful Melanie Sykes at the helm we hope to get the viewer’s love of pottery all fired up.”

Richard McKerrow, CEO and Executive Producer, Love Productions, says: “We’re delighted to be bringing back the much-loved The Great Pottery Throw Down with a whole new group of potters crafting a wide range of eye-catching creations. We are especially grateful to all those loyal viewers who campaigned for its return.”

The new series will air on Channel 4 and More4 in 2020.

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