The Great Pottery Throw Down

British television competition programme From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Great Pottery Throw Down is a British television competition programme that first aired on BBC Two from 3 November 2015 to 23 March 2017. It was then moved to More4 from 8 January to 11 March 2020, and has been broadcast by Channel 4 since 10 January 2021.

GenreReality
Presented by
Judges
Opening theme"I Can't Explain" by The Who (2015)
"Making Time" by The Creation (2017–2025)
"Spinning World" by The Huntsmen (2026–present)
Quick facts Genre, Presented by ...
The Great Pottery Throw Down
GenreReality
Presented by
Judges
Opening theme"I Can't Explain" by The Who (2015)
"Making Time" by The Creation (2017–2025)
"Spinning World" by The Huntsmen (2026–present)
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series9
No. of episodes64
Production
Production locationsMiddleport Pottery, Stoke-on-Trent
Gladstone Pottery Museum, Stoke-on-Trent
Running time60-90 minutes
Production companyLove Productions
Original release
NetworkBBC Two
Release3 November 2015 (2015-11-03) 
23 March 2017 (2017-03-23)
NetworkMore 4
Release8 January (2020-01-08) 
11 March 2020 (2020-03-11)
NetworkChannel 4
Release10 January 2021 (2021-01-10) 
present
Related
The Great British Sewing Bee
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Format

In each episode, a group of amateur potters compete to complete two pottery challenges. In the "main make" challenge, contestants undertake a substantial multi-stage creative task: subject to given specifications, they must design a ceramic creation, build it from clay body, and decorate it, and present it to the judges for evaluation after it is fired in the kiln. In between stages of the main make, potters are given a "second challenge", a smaller-scale task testing a specific pottery skill, on which they are ranked from worst to best by the judges. At the end of each episode, the judges designate the best-performing contestant as "potter of the week". The contestant with the worst results is dismissed, and all others return for the following episode; the winner of the final episode is the overall winner of the series.

Series overview

More information Series, Episodes ...
Series Episodes Premiere Finale Winner
1 6 3 November 2015 8 December 2015 Matthew Wilcock
2 8 2 February 2017 23 March 2017 Ryan Barrett
3 10 8 January 2020 11 March 2020 Rosa Wiland Holmes
4 10 10 January 2021 14 March 2021 Jodie Neale
5 10 2 January 2022 6 March 2022 AJ Simpson
6 10 8 January 2023 12 March 2023 Loïs Gunn
7 10 7 January 2024 10 March 2024 Donna Bloye
8 10 5 January 2025 9 March 2025 James Stanley Watson
9 10 4 January 2026 8 March 2026 Fynn Allen
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Series 1 (2015)

The first series of The Great Pottery Throw Down began on 3 November 2015 on BBC Two, and concluded on 8 December 2015.[1] The judges for the series were Keith Brymer Jones and Kate Malone, with Sara Cox serving as host. The competition was held at Middleport Pottery.

Potters

More information Potter, Age ...
Potter Age Occupation Hometown
James Greenwood 31 Vet Bristol
Jane Williams 40 College tutor North Wales
Jim Ranson 52 Part-time painter and decorator Bognor Regis
Joanna Morris 42 Parish Councillor West Sussex
Matthew Wilcock 23 Teacher Giggleswick
Nigel Matthews 52 Builder Bakewell
Rekha Sameer 49 Conceptual artist Buckinghamshire
Sally-Jo Bond 33 Interior designer Petersfield
Sandra Whyles 52 Project Manager Leeds
Tom Knowles Jackson 41 Retired Army Major Gloucestershire
Close

Results summary

More information Elimination chart, Potter ...
Elimination chart
Potter123456
MatthewWINWinner
JimWINRunner-Up
Sally-JoRunner-Up
TomWINRunner-Up
JaneELIM
SandraELIM
JamesELIM
JoannaEXIT
NigelELIM
RekhaELIM
Close

Colour key:

  Potter was eliminated
  Potter won Pot of the Week
  Potter walked from the series
  Potter got through to the next round
  Potter was one of the least favourite
  Potter was one of the favourites
  Potter was a series finalist
  Potter was the series winner

Ratings

More information Episode no., Airdate ...
Episode
no.
AirdateTotal viewers
(millions)[2]
BBC Two
weekly ranking[2]
13 November 20152.298
210 November 20152.4710
317 November 20152.497
424 November 20152.1611
51 December 20152.377
68 December 20152.557
Close

Series 2 (2017)

The second series of The Great Pottery Throw Down began on 2 February 2017 on BBC Two, and concluded on 23 March 2017.[3]

Potters

More information Potter, Age ...
Potter Age Occupation Hometown
Cáit Gould 31 Quaker Meeting House worker Reading
Carole Sender 63 Pottery Teacher Hertfordshire
Clover Lee 33 Accountant and Part-time Illustrator London
Daniel Pratap 55 Mortgage adviser Hampshire
Elaine Wells 55 Banana import business owner Buckinghamshire
Freya Bramble-Carter 24 Student London
James Douglass 25 Tour guide in National Glass Centre Newcastle upon Tyne
Nam Tran 27 Cage fighter and Kick boxer London
Richard J Parker 53 Pub landlord Banbury
Ryan Barrett 30 Model Ipswich
Close

Results summary

More information Elimination chart, Potter ...
Elimination chart
Potter12345[a]678
RyanWINWINWinner
CloverWINRunner-Up
RichardWINRunner-Up
FreyaWINELIM
CáitELIM
NamWINELIM
ElaineWINELIM
JamesELIM
DanielELIM
CaroleELIM
Close

[a] Because the judges were unable to agree, no-one was eliminated this week. As a result, two potters were eliminated the following week.

Colour key:

  Potter was eliminated
  Potter won Pot of the Week
  Potter walked from the series
  Potter got through to the next round
  Potter was one of the least favourite
  Potter was one of the favourites
  Potter was a series finalist
  Potter was the series winner

Ratings

More information Episode no., Airdate ...
Episode
no.
AirdateTotal viewers
(millions)[2]
BBC Two
weekly ranking[2]
12 February 20172.385
29 February 20172.605
316 February 20172.604
423 February 20172.783
52 March 20172.774
69 March 20172.854
716 March 20173.341
823 March 20173.441
Close

Series 3 (2020)

The third series of The Great Pottery Throw Down began on 8 January 2020 on More4, and concluded on 11 March 2020.[4] Ceramic designer Sue Pryke took over as judge from Kate Malone, and Melanie Sykes became the new host.

Potters

More information Potter, Age ...
Potter Age Occupation Hometown
Claire Murdock 29 Warehouse operative County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Flea Brudenell-Bruce 33 Full-time mother London
Jacob Chan 23 Studio potter Liverpool
Kit Andrews 19 Home potter Cornwall
Leonard Young 70 Retired company director Cornwall
Matt Cronshaw 30 Professional cycling manager Greater Manchester
Rainna Erbas 27 Full-time carer Kent
Ronaldo Wiltshire 31 Art college technician and part time tutor London
Rosa Wiland Holmes 43 Full-time mother and former fashion designer Buckinghamshire
Rosalind Worland 59 Retired antique shop owner Essex
Sampada Gurung 26 Craft assistant and illustrator London
Tom James 39 Composer and music teacher Sheffield
Close

Results summary

More information Elimination chart, Potter ...
Elimination chart
Potter12345678910
RosaWINWinner
JacobWINWINWINRunner-Up
MattWINRunner-Up
ClaireWINWINWINELIM
RosalindWINELIM
RonaldoELIM
RainnaWINELIM
FleaELIM
LeonardELIM
KitELIM
SampadaELIM
TomELIM
Close

Colour key:

  Potter was eliminated
  Potter won Pot of the Week
  Potter walked from the series
  Potter got through to the next round
  Potter was one of the least favourite
  Potter was one of the favourites
  Potter was a series finalist
  Potter was the series winner

Series 4 (2021)

The fourth series of The Great Pottery Throw Down began on 10 January 2021 on Channel 4, and concluded on 14 March 2021.[5] The competition moved to the Gladstone Pottery Museum starting with this season. Richard Miller moved from kiln technician into a judging role alongside Keith Brymer Jones, and Siobhán McSweeney became the new host.

Potters

More information Potter, Age ...
Potter Age Occupation Hometown
Adam Johnson 36 Support worker Brighton
Alon Shahar 20 Architecture student London
Ara Moradian 57 Retired theatre wardrobe manager Folkestone
Hannah Ruth Walker 30 Housing project manager Bristol
Henry Moore 25 Retirement home activities organiser Suffolk
Irina 43 Executive ground staff Essex
Jodie Neale 35 NHS scrub nurse Rhondda Valley
Lee Pollard 44 Community nurse Huddersfield
Peter White 70 Design and technology teacher Milton Keynes
Sally ‘Sal’ Tully 58 Art and design teacher Cornwall
Shenyue Ding 28 Model London
Susan ‘Suz’ MacInnes 55 Library assistant Aberdeenshire
Close

Results summary

More information Elimination chart, Potter ...
Elimination chart
Potter1234[a]5678910
JodieWINWINWinner
AdamWINRunner-Up
PeterWINRunner-Up
HannahWINELIM
AlonWINELIM
SalWINWINELIM
Henry ELIM
ShenyueWINELIM
LeeELIM
SuzELIM
IrinaELIM
AraELIM
Close

[a] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, filming ceased for 7 days to ensure the safety of the potters and crew. As a result, the judges decided not to eliminate anyone.

Colour key:

  Potter was eliminated
  Potter won Pot of the Week
  Potter walked from the series
  Potter got through to the next round
  Potter was one of the least favourite
  Potter was one of the favourites
  Potter was a series finalist
  Potter was the series winner

Series 5 (2022)

The fifth series of The Great Pottery Throw Down began on 2 January 2022 on Channel 4, and concluded on 6 March 2022. The series was co-hosted by Ellie Taylor, while Siobhán McSweeney was recovering from a broken leg. It was judged by Keith Brymer Jones and Richard Miller. Also appearing was Rose Schmits, who acted as behind-the-scenes technician.[5]

Potters

More information Potter, Age ...
Potter Age Occupation Hometown
AJ Simpson 21 Design graduate Aberdeen
Anna McGurn 57 Social care facilitator Fermanagh, Northern Ireland
Bill Thomas 63 Museum learning assistant Scarborough
Cellan Cox 23 3D design and craft graduate Brighton
Christine Cherry 57 Art youth worker Preston
Jenny Cobb 43 Full time mum North Lincolnshire
Josh Duarte 27 Design and technology teacher Berkshire
Lucinda Lovesey 58 Retired NHS therapist Shropshire
Miles Johnson 50 Denim designer Worcestershire
Nick Robatto 43 Prop Maker Barry
Tom Demeranville 44 Product director Bath
Zahra Jabir 32 Hospital doctor Manchester
Close

Results Summary

More information Elimination chart, Potter ...
Elimination chart
Potter12345678910
AJWINWINWINWinner
AnnaRunner-Up
ChristineWINRunner-Up
LucindaWINELIM
JennyWINELIM
TomWINELIM
NickWINELIM
CellanWINELIM
MilesELIM
JoshELIM
ZahraELIM
BillELIM
Close

Colour Key

  Potter won Pot of the Week.
  Potter was one of the judges' favourites of the week.
  Potter was safe and was through to the next week.
  Potter was one of the judges' least favourites of the week.
  Potter was eliminated.
  Potter was a finalist.
  Potter won the series.

Ratings

More information Episode no., Airdate ...
Episode
no.
AirdateTotal viewers
(millions)[6]
Weekly ranking
all channels[6]
12 January 2022N/aN/a
29 January 2022N/aN/a
316 January 2022N/aN/a
423 January 2022N/aN/a
530 January 2022N/aN/a
66 February 2022N/aN/a
713 February 2022N/aN/a
820 February 2022N/aN/a
927 February 2022N/aN/a
106 March 20223.0747
Close

Series 6 (2023)

The sixth series of The Great Pottery Throw Down began on 8 January 2023 on Channel 4, and concluded on 12 March 2023.[5]

Potters

More information Potter, Age ...
Potter Age Occupation Hometown
Caitlin Foulds 23 Medical Student Glasgow
Christophe Donot 36 Architect London
Derek Harbinson 57 Journalist, Editor Tunbridge Wells
Fabiola Ladino 52 Nanny London
Fliss Rowbotham 24 Oil Painter London
George Lodge 27 Junior Doctor Hampshire
Helen Baxter 65 Retired Headteacher Kent
James Stead 44 Art Teacher Banbury
Jon Roynon 46 Chartered Structural Engineer Corsham
Loïs Gunn 36 Jewellery Designer Ramsgate
Rebecca Norris 32 Teacher Scarborough
Vithu Karunakaran 29 Bartender, Waiter Manchester
Close

Results Summary

More information Elimination chart, Potter ...
Elimination chart
Potter12345678910
LoïsWINWINWINWinner
JamesWINRunner-Up
JonWINRunner-Up
CaitlinWINELIM
HelenELIM
DerekELIM
GeorgeELIM
RebeccaELIM
FabiolaELIM
ChristopheELIM
FlissELIM
VithuELIM
Close

Colour Key

  Potter won Pot of the Week.
  Potter was one of the judges' favourites of the week.
  Potter was safe and was through to the next week.
  Potter was one of the judges' least favourites of the week.
  Potter was eliminated.
  Potter was a finalist.
  Potter won the series.

Ratings

More information Episode no., Airdate ...
Episode
no.
AirdateTotal viewers
(millions)[6]
Weekly ranking
all channels[6]
18 January 2023N/aN/a
215 January 2023N/aN/a
322 January 2023N/aN/a
429 January 2023N/aN/a
55 February 2023N/aN/a
612 February 2023N/aN/a
719 February 20232.8545
826 February 2023N/aN/a
95 March 2023N/aN/a
1012 March 20233.0545
Close

Series 7 (2024)

The seventh series of The Great Pottery Throw Down began on 7 January 2024 on Channel 4, and concluded on 10 March 2024.[7]

Potters

More information Potter, Age ...
Potter Age Occupation Hometown
Andrew Macbean 67 Actor London
Cadi Froehlich 50 Admin Assistant Brighton
Dan Sandham 41 Systems Engineer Weymouth
Daniel Stapleton 30 Data Scientist London
Dave Short 58 Retired Teacher Evesham
Donna Bloye 44 Former Art Teacher Bangor
Edward King 33 Housing Officer Plymouth
Jan Morgan 61 Science Lecturer Llanelli
Princess Fingall 24 Studio Technician London
Shani Yeomans 38 Small Business Bristol
Sophie Wootton 24 Graduate Student Warwickshire
Steven Broughton 33 Art Teacher Oxfordshire
Close

Results summary

More information Elimination chart, Potter ...
Elimination chart
Potter1234 5 6 7 8 9 10
DonnaWINWINWINWINWINWinner
DanWINRunner-Up
DaveWINRunner-Up
StevenWINELIM
JanELIM
SophieELIM
CadiWINELIM
PrincessELIM
DanielELIM
ShaniELIM
EdwardELIM
AndrewELIM
Close

Colour Key

  Potter won Pot of the Week.
  Potter was one of the judges' favourites of the week.
  Potter was safe and was through to the next week.
  Potter was one of the judges' least favourites of the week.
  Potter was eliminated.
  Potter was a finalist.
  Potter won the series.

Ratings

More information Episode no., Airdate ...
Episode
no.
AirdateTotal viewers
(millions)[6]
Weekly ranking
all channels[6]
17 January 2024N/aN/a
214 January 2024N/aN/a
321 January 2024N/aN/a
428 January 2024N/aN/a
54 February 2024N/aN/a
611 February 2024N/aN/a
718 February 2024N/aN/a
825 February 2024N/aN/a
93 March 2024N/aN/a
1010 March 20242.9043
Close

Series 8 (2025)

The eighth series of The Great Pottery Throw Down began on 5 January 2025 on Channel 4.[8]

Potters

More information Potter, Age ...
Potter Age Occupation Hometown
Chris Parkes 36 Military Veteran
Diana Parker 62 Retired Art, Design & Textiles Teacher Dorset, originally Derbyshire
Francesca Dourado 28 Make Up Artist Bristol, originally Kenya
Hayley Rowlands 55 Social Worker / Fostering Panel Chair Suffolk
Imy Harris 22 Model & Deaf Advocate
James Stanley Watson 42 Project Manager Belfast
Jonathan Jolly-Vanderheyden 61 Holiday Let Owner Scotland, originally Leeds
Natalie Sims Rees 41 Swimming & Aqua Aerobics Instructor Derby
Olivia Rowan 26 Art & Design Teacher & Cycle Tour Guide Liverpool
Stephen Parkes 58 Audio Visual / IT Technician Birmingham, originally Nottingham
Steve Brown 48 Animator London, originally North Wales
Victor Ng 31 Digital Product Designer London, originally Canada
Close

Results summary

More information Elimination chart, Potter ...
Elimination chart
Potter12345678910
JamesWINWINWINWinner
NatalieWINWINWINRunner-Up
SteveWINWINWINRunner-Up
DianaELIM
FrancescaELIM
JonathanELIM
ImyELIM
StephenELIM
HayleyELIM
VictorELIM
ChrisELIM
OliviaELIM
Close

Colour Key

  Potter won Pot of the Week.
  Potter was one of the judges' favourites of the week.
  Potter was safe and was through to the next week.
  Potter was one of the judges' least favourites of the week.
  Potter was eliminated.
  Potter was a finalist.
  Potter won the series.

Series 9 (2026)

The ninth series of The Great Pottery Throw Down began on 4 January 2026 on Channel 4.[9]

Potters

More information Potter, Age ...
Potter Age Occupation Hometown
Andrew 48 English Teacher Hampshire
Angharad 34 Communication Support Worker Bridgend
Bill 33 Volunteer Teaching Assistant Herefordshire
Elham 31 Midwife Sheffield
Emily 39 Habitat Restoration Ecologist Inverness
Fynn 37 Tattooist Cornwall
Kayleigh 38 Art Teacher Oxfordshire
Kaz 62 Former Psychiatric Nurse Swansea
Mark 63 University Facilities & Estate Manager Merseyside
Naveed 42 Actor & Toy Shop Owner Folkestone
Olympia 28 Between Jobs West Midlands
Whitney 36 Chemistry Teacher Glasgow
Close
Results summary
More information Elimination chart, Potter ...
Elimination chart
Potter12345678910
FynnWIN WIN Winner
Angharad WIN WIN Runner-Up
Elham WIN WIN Runner-Up
Bill ELIM
Naveed ELIM
Kayleigh WIN WIN ELIM
Emily WIN ELIM
Andrew ELIM
Whitney ELIM
Mark ELIM
Kaz ELIM
Olympia ELIM
Close

Colour Key

  Potter won Potter of the Week.
  Potter was one of the judges' favourites of the week.
  Potter was safe and was through to the next week.
  Potter was one of the judges' least favourites of the week.
  Potter was eliminated.
  Potter was a finalist.
  Potter won the series.

The Festive Pottery Throwdown

The Festive Pottery Throwdown is a series of one-off Christmas specials where celebrities participate instead of members of the public.

2022

More information Celebrity, Known for ...
Celebrity[10] Known for Result
Jenny Eclair Comedian
James Fleet Actor Winner
Jamie Laing Made in Chelsea
Sunetra Sarker Actress and TV presenter
Close

2023

More information Celebrity, Known for ...
Celebrity Known for Result
Hugh Dennis Comedian and Actor Winner
Sophie Duker Stand-up comedian
Alice Levine Radio and TV presenter
Joe Swash Former EastEnders actor
Close

2024

More information Celebrity, Known for ...
Celebrity Known for Result
Babatunde Aleshe Comedian
Martin Kemp Singer and actor Winner
Rachel Riley TV presenter
Tom Rosenthal Actor
Close

2025

More information Celebrity, Known for ...
Celebrity Known for Result
Amber Gill TV Personality
Sarah Hadland Actress
Colin Murray Radio Presenter Winner
Tim Vine Comedian
Close

The Great Celebrity Pottery Throw Down

Upcoming five-part series will be hosted by Liza Tarbuck. Judges Keith Brymer Jones and Rich Miller will return.[11]

2026

More information Celebrity, Known for ...
Celebrity Known for Result
Lucy Beaumont Comedian
Fatiha El-Ghorri Comedian
Richard Herring Comedian and writer
Paul Merson Former professional footballer
Layton Williams Actor
Denise Van Outen Presenter
Close

International broadcasts

In July 2020, HBO Max secured the rights to distribute the show in the United States, where it premiered on 17 September 2020. As of July 2024, HBO Max has not released season 6 (originally aired January 2023 in the UK with season 7 starting January 2024) and has made no mention of it being released in the future. Currently, HBO Max only indicates 5 seasons exist on their website.[12]

A Canadian version, The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down, premiered on CBC Television on 8 February 2024.[13]

References

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