The Great Pottery Throw Down

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.

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–)
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series7
No. of episodes64
Production
Production locationsMiddleport Pottery, Stoke-on-Trent, England (2015–20)
Gladstone Pottery Museum, Stoke-on-Trent, England (2021–)
Running time60 minutes
Production companyLove Productions
Original release
NetworkBBC Two (2015–17)
More4 (2020)
Channel 4 (2021–)
Release3 November 2015 (2015-11-03) –
present (present)
Related
The Great British Sewing Bee

Format

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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

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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

Series 1 (2015)

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The first series of The Great Pottery Throw Down began on 3 November 2015 on BBC Two, and concluded on 8 December 2015.[1]

Potters

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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

Results summary

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Elimination chart
Potter 1 2 3 4 5 6
Matthew WIN Winner
Jim WIN Runner-Up
Sally-Jo Runner-Up
Tom WIN Runner-Up
Jane ELIM
Sandra ELIM
James ELIM
Joanna EXIT
Nigel ELIM
Rekha ELIM

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

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Episode
no.
Airdate Total viewers
(millions)[2]
BBC Two
weekly ranking[2]
1 3 November 2015 2.29 8
2 10 November 2015 2.47 10
3 17 November 2015 2.49 7
4 24 November 2015 2.16 11
5 1 December 2015 2.37 7
6 8 December 2015 2.55 7

Series 2 (2017)

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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

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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

Results summary

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Elimination chart
Potter 1 2 3 4 5[a] 6 7 8
Ryan WIN WIN Winner
Clover WIN Runner-Up
Richard WIN Runner-Up
Freya WIN ELIM
Cáit ELIM
Nam WIN ELIM
Elaine WIN ELIM
James ELIM
Daniel ELIM
Carole ELIM

[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

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Episode
no.
Airdate Total viewers
(millions)[2]
BBC Two
weekly ranking[2]
1 2 February 2017 2.38 5
2 9 February 2017 2.60 5
3 16 February 2017 2.60 4
4 23 February 2017 2.78 3
5 2 March 2017 2.77 4
6 9 March 2017 2.85 4
7 16 March 2017 3.34 1
8 23 March 2017 3.44 1

Series 3 (2020)

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The third series of The Great Pottery Throw Down began on 8 January 2020 on More4, and concluded on 11 March 2020.[4]

Potters

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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

Results summary

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Elimination chart
Potter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Rosa WIN Winner
Jacob WIN WIN WIN Runner-Up
Matt WIN Runner-Up
Claire WIN WIN WIN ELIM
Rosalind WIN ELIM
Ronaldo ELIM
Rainna WIN ELIM
Flea ELIM
Leonard ELIM
Kit ELIM
Sampada ELIM
Tom ELIM

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)

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The fourth series of The Great Pottery Throw Down began on 10 January 2021 on Channel 4, and concluded on 14 March 2021.[5]

Potters

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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

Results summary

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Elimination chart
Potter 1 2 3 4[a] 5 6 7 8 9 10
Jodie WIN WIN Winner
Adam WIN Runner-Up
Peter WIN Runner-Up
Hannah WIN ELIM
Alon WIN ELIM
Sal WIN WIN ELIM
Henry ELIM
Shenyue WIN ELIM
Lee ELIM
Suz ELIM
Irina ELIM
Ara ELIM

[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)

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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.[6]

Potters

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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

Results Summary

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Elimination Chart
Potter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
AJ WIN WIN WIN Winner
Anna Runner-Up
Christine WIN Runner-Up
Lucinda WIN ELIM
Jenny WIN ELIM
Tom WIN ELIM
Nick WIN ELIM
Cellan WIN ELIM
Miles ELIM
Josh ELIM
Zahra ELIM
Bill ELIM

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

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Episode
no.
Airdate Total viewers
(millions)[7]
Weekly ranking
all channels[7]
1 2 January 2022
2 9 January 2022
3 16 January 2022
4 23 January 2022
5 30 January 2022
6 6 February 2022
7 13 February 2022
8 20 February 2022
9 27 February 2022
10 6 March 2022 3.07 47

Series 6 (2023)

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

Potters

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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

Results Summary

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Elimination Chart
Potter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Loïs WIN WIN WIN Winner
James WIN Runner-Up
Jon WIN Runner-Up
Caitlin WIN ELIM
Helen ELIM
Derek ELIM
George ELIM
Rebecca ELIM
Fabiola ELIM
Christophe ELIM
Fliss ELIM
Vithu ELIM

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

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Episode
no.
Airdate Total viewers
(millions)[7]
Weekly ranking
all channels[7]
1 8 January 2023
2 15 January 2023
3 22 January 2023
4 29 January 2023
5 5 February 2023
6 12 February 2023
7 19 February 2023 2.85 45
8 26 February 2023
9 5 March 2023
10 12 March 2023 3.05 45

Series 7 (2024)

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The seventh series of The Great Pottery Throw Down began on 7 January 2024 on Channel 4, and concluded on 10 March 2024.[9]

Potters

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

Results summary

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Elimination Chart
Potter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Donna WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN Winner
Dan WIN Runner-Up
Dave WIN Runner-Up
Steven WIN ELIM
Jan ELIM
Sophie ELIM
Cadi WIN ELIM
Princess ELIM
Daniel ELIM
Shani ELIM
Edward ELIM
Andrew ELIM

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

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Episode
no.
Airdate Total viewers
(millions)[7]
Weekly ranking
all channels[7]
1 7 January 2024
2 14 January 2024
3 21 January 2024
4 28 January 2024
5 4 February 2024
6 11 February 2024
7 18 February 2024
8 25 February 2024
9 3 March 2024
10 10 March 2024 2.90 43

The Festive Pottery Throwdown

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

2022

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

2023

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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

International broadcasts

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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.[11]

A Canadian version, The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down, premiered on CBC Television on 8 February 2024.[12]

References

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  1. ^ Alastair McKay (6 November 2015), "Catch up TV: The Great British Pottery Throw Down", Evening Standard
  2. ^ a b c d "Weekly top 30 programmes on TV sets (July 1998 - Sept 2018)". BARB. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  3. ^ Tim Dowling (11 November 2015), "The Great Pottery Throw Down review: if your pot doesn't make the judge cry, you aren't trying hard enough", The Guardian
  4. ^ "When pottery gets political…". Stratford-upon-Avon Herald. March 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  5. ^ "Great Pottery Throw Down's new kiln girl is an incredible trans artist who explores gender through ceramics". PinkNews. 11 January 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  6. ^ "Great Pottery Throw Down's new kiln girl is an incredible trans artist who explores gender through ceramics". PinkNews. 11 January 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d e f "Most viewed programmes". BARB. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  8. ^ "Great Pottery Throw Down's new kiln girl is an incredible trans artist who explores gender through ceramics". PinkNews. 11 January 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  9. ^ "The Great Pottery Throw Down is back in 2024!". www.gathered.how. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  10. ^ "The Great Festive Pottery Throw Down 2022 line-up: Meet the celebs taking part". Archived from the original on 26 December 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  11. ^ "Great Pottery Throw Down HBO Max Trailer". www.thewrap.com. Archived from the original on 3 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  12. ^ "Seth Rogen, Jennifer Robertson join CBC's 'The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down'". Victoria Times-Colonist, 30 October 2023.
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