Liza Tarbuck will host a brand new five-part series, The Great Celebrity Pottery Throw Down, it has been announced, marking one of her first roles since quitting her Radio 2 gig last month.
A collaboration between Channel 4 and Love Productions, the show will invite six celebrities – each with little to no pottery experience – to take on a series of challenges. It’s a celebrity version of the regular Channel 4 show, which is hosted by Derry Girls star Siobhan McSweeney.
Actor, presenter and author Tarbuck, 61, will be cheering on stars including comedian and actor Lucy Beaumont, actor and author Fatiha El-Ghorri; comedian and podcaster Richard Herring; football legend and pundit Paul Merson; actor Layton Williams; and actor and presenter Denise Van Outen.
In a twist on the popular original series, there will be no weekly elimination. Instead, celebrities will develop their skills over five episodes under the watchful eye of judges Keith Brymer Jones and Rich Miller.
They’ll be competing for points in each challenge with the hope of earning a place in the grand final, where just one will be announced as the series winner and crowned champion.
Liza Tarbuck said in a statement: “I knew I’d enjoy Keith and Rich’s company and I did. People flourish around emotionally intelligent people, and the boys’ encouragement and kindness really promoted a growth in our newbie potters that was a pleasure to witness. I absolutely loved being there.”
Deborah Dunnett, commissioning editor at Channel 4, said: “The Great Celebrity Pottery Throw Down is a wonderfully heart-warming series.
“For the first time we are able to discover pottery through the eyes of real beginners and follow their creative progression through to a deeply personal finale with some show-stopping results. And of course it’s absolutely thrilling to welcome Liza to the Pottery family.”
The Great Pottery Throw Down was launched in 2015 as the “messier cousin” to the Great British Bake Off.
Since then, it has become a hit not just in the UK but overseas, boasting famous fans such as Brad Pitt, who in 2022 admitted he’d seen “every season”.
The Hollywood star also expressed his admiration for Brymer Jones, who is frequently brought to tears by contestants’ work.
“It’s beautiful,” said Pitt of Brymer Jones’ sensitive approach. “He’s so beautiful… He’s so kind. He’s so supportive. I tear up.”
An air date for The Great Celebrity Pottery Throw Down has yet to be confirmed.
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