TV&REVIEWS
Our pick of what to watch this week, plus the best podcasts and new books…
Another group of amateur sewers take on some tough challenges under the watchful eyes of judges Esme Young and Patrick Grant as The Great British Sewing Bee returns for a 10th series, presented this time round by Ghosts star Kiell Smith-Bynoe. To kick things off, Back to Basics Week puts a new spin on the tasks from the show’s very first episode in 2013. Here, Esme, 75, reveals more…
What are the contestants like this year?
The standard is always good. What often happens is one person stands out, but as the series goes on, that can change as people learn things. I love how the sewers learn from each other. They inspire each other with what they’re doing and become a real gang. It’s great.
How competitive are this year’s sewers?
They are very competitive, they always are. Obviously, they want to win, but it’s not a bloody fight to the death. Not at all. They help each other. The sewing has got better and better, so each year the challenges have to be a bit more difficult.
As usual, each week has a theme which this year includes sport, lingerie, design icons and India. Which week have you particularly enjoyed this time?
I loved Diva Week. The sewers had to make a Tina Turner fringed dress for the pattern challenge. That look is so iconic. I was very worried they’d mess up, but they didn’t. I was really impressed how well they did. And then, for the made-to-measure challenge, they had to make a stage outfit for a diva. Quite a few did Lady Gaga and there was a Beyoncé, too!
When you joined Sewing Bee in 2016, did you imagine you’d still be doing the show eight years later?
I don’t look far ahead. I live in the moment and just grab opportunities. It’s great that Sewing Bee has gone on for 10 series and let’s hope it goes on for another 10 – I fully intend to be there in 10 years or so. I will be quite old then, though!
WHAT’S ON TV?
Our top picks from BBC, ITV, C4, Channel 5, Sky and more…
A League Of Their Own: Mexican Road Trip
Sky Max
The latest special sees team captains Jamie Redknapp and Jill Scott head to Mexico with Micah Richards, Mo Gilligan and Maisie Adam, where they face all sorts of challenges – plus a few shots of tequila!
Rebus
BBC1 Outlander’s Richard Rankin stars as DS John Rebus in this six-part reboot of the Edinburgh crime drama. Available on BBC iPlayer as a box set from 17 May, it follows the
