Get your clay at the ready and fasten your aprons – The Great Pottery Throw Down is back for a brand new season, with Derry Girls star Siobhán McSweeney welcoming a new line-up of contestants into the workshop.
This Sunday, we’ll see 12 of Britain’s best home potters take on the ultimate kiln challenge in the hopes of impressing judges Keith Brymer Jones and Rich Miller.
While Ellie Taylor won’t be back as stand-in host now that McSweeney has returned, viewers can expect just as much pottery drama as before, with the contestants taking on a birthday tea set challenge as well as a task making handleless milk jugs.
Meet the potters with a licence to kiln.
— The Great Pottery Throw Down (@PotteryThrow) December 30, 2022
The Great Pottery Throw Down starts Sunday 8th January at 7.45pm on @Channel4. #potterythrowdown pic.twitter.com/MtBCx1vh12
With the show kicking off this weekend, here’s everything you need to know about the line-up for The Great Pottery Throw Down 2023.
Vithu
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Age: 29
From: Manchester
Job: Bartender/waiter
Vithu is a bartender and waiter from Manchester with a love of bouldering and gymnastics outside of the pottery world. He studied ceramics in Cardiff and found something special in pottery.
When it comes to his creations, he finds inspiration in his Sri Lankan and Mancunian heritage.
Rebecca
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Age: 32
From: Scarborough
Job: Teacher
Rebecca is a primary and SEN teacher who lived in Australia for five years before settling in ‘Scarbados’. After experiencing health problems a few years ago, she used pottery as an escape and is mostly self-taught.
Being a lover of colours, perhaps Rebecca will be bringing some of that brightness to her pottery.
Loïs
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Age: 36
From: Ramsgate, Kent
Job: Jewellery designer
After many years as a teacher, Loïs decided to make a career change and enter the world of jewellery design.
Based in Kent, Loïs dabbled in pottery before becoming a mum and returned to it properly a few years ago, bringing her love of ancient cultures, the sea and nature into many of her pots.
Jon
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Age: 46
From: Corsham
Job: Chartered structural engineer
Being a chartered structural engineer, Jon isn’t afraid to be ambitious with his pots and has previously used 3D printed tools to make his creations.
Outside of his career, he’s a keen archer, having practised the sport for 30 years. He lives in Corsham with his wife, their two boys and their two ducks.
James
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Age: 44
From: Banbury
Job: Art teacher
Lancashire-born James grew up with a draftsman dad and a seamstress mum, who he credits his creativity with. He now lives in Banbury and became an art teacher after studying at art college.
Helen
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Age: 65
From: Kent
Job: Retired headteacher
Former headteacher Helen retired in 2016 after a career in education, including six years in the Bahamas.
She now lives in Kent near the sea and spends her time seeing friends, travelling and potting. She’s a trained oboist, so music is a large part of her life but she also loves mudlarking and beachcombing.
George
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Age: 27
From: Hampshire
Job: Junior doctor
Based in Hampshire, George has been a junior doctor for two years and currently works in obstetrics and gynaecology. He wants to specialise in urology and jokes that it all sounds a bit “below the belt”.
Outside of work and pottery, George loves beekeeping, a hobby which has taken him to Zanzibar and New Zealand. He took up pottery in his final year of medical school after trying it out in primary school, with the art becoming an escape after a long day at work.
Fliss
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Age: 24
From: London
Job: Oil panter
Fine Art graduate Fliss is originally from Surrey but now lives in London, working as an oil painter and musician.
She’s the youngest of four siblings in a close-knit family and when she’s not potting or painting, she’s surfing and paddle boarding.
Fabiola
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Age: 52
From: London (originally Colombia)
Job: Nanny
Fabiola is a nanny who is now firmly settled in London after moving from Colombia. Recently graduating from The Open University with a degree in Business Management, Fabiola has thrown herself into pottery, which has become a fundamental part of her life after her lupus diagnosis five years ago.
She now has a potting shed at the bottom of her garden with a pottery wheel that her husband bought her.
Derek
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Age: 57
From: Tunbridge Wells (originally Belfast)
Job: Journalist/Editor
Belfast-born Derek took up pottery after his wife bought him a course six years ago and he’s never looked back.
Having previously worked on lads mags and editorial projects, Derek now lives in Tunbridge Wells but dreams of a house in the country with a pottery studio. He’s a lover of all things mid-century and has a passion for German pottery.
Christophe
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Age: 36
From: London (originally France)
Job: Architect
Originally from France, Christophe moved to the UK eight years ago and found a home. When he’s not designing, Christophe is at his local swimming pool, coaching the team or pole dancing.
He took up pottery two years ago and uses it to get away from the stresses of work – although his job does come in handy when constructing with clay.
Caitlin
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Age: 23
From: Glasgow
Job: Medical student
Medical student Caitlin may spend most of her time on Dundee’s hospital wards but outside of work, she’s at her clay, at the gym or practising yoga.
Her pottery is modern and contemporary, with a fusion of her Dad’s retro-inspired style and her mum’s Chinese heritage. She likes to bring a bit of cheekiness into her ceramics, making ‘boob’ mugs and decoration that reflects her light-hearted personality.
The Great Pottery Throw Down airs on Sunday 8th January at 7:45pm on Channel 4. Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide for more to watch.
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