STAR stitchers

Judges PATRICK GRANT and ESME YOUNG, along with host SARA PASCOE, talk sewing, sparkle and, er, sausage rolls...

- REBECCA FLETCHER

Time to dig out the festive fabrics and twinkly threads as another merry collection of celebrities get into the seasonal spirit for this year’s Christmas edition of BBC1’s The Great British Sewing Bee. Comedian Sara Pascoe resumes hosting

duties following maternity leave to join returning judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young in welcoming the new stitchers to the Sewing Room – EastEnders favourite Kellie Bright, Steps singer Ian ‘H’ Watkins, comedian Fatiha El-Ghorri and reality star Charlotte Crosby.

‘As always, the celebrities are really good fun,’ promises Patrick, 52. ‘They all gave it a good go, but the standard was… average!’

Bah humbug, Patrick! What does he expect given the tree-mendously tricky challenges that he and Esme have up their perfectly-sewn sleeves for the competitors?

‘For the Pattern Challenge, they were asked to make Advent calendars,’ says Esme, 75. ‘That was easing them in gently, as it was all flat and just topstitching pockets on.

‘In the Transformation Challenge, they had to turn a onesie into a child’s festive outfit. That is always a tricky one. And the Made-to-Measure Challenge was inspired by their favourite Christmas No. s – Charlotte made a sausage-roll dress, which was fun, but not something I’d wear to a party as I prefer something more sparkly!’

Meanwhile, Sara is buzzing with excitement about being at the helm again after Ghosts actor Kiell Smith-Bynoe stood in for her for 2023’s Christmas instalment and the show’s 10th series.