The Great Pottery Throwdown is back.

Really went off the pottery programme this time I think it’s got so familiar now that you know almost word for word what Keith is going to say and fed up with ‘celebrities’ building houses doing gardens or going on free expensive holidays to make a programme
I m with you Oreao Siobhan gets on my nerves I wouldn’t bother watching a show she hosted but then I m not a Greyson Perry fan either seems an attention seeker a bit like Eddie, the undecided, Izzard
I like people who are real, down to earth and have enough personality to keep you interested in what they have to say and do without needing to draw attention by trying to ‘be different’

By the way I think Keith is a very talented potter and rather a nice chap but obviously limited in his ability as a host

Silverbrooks

Agreed, ferry23.

When I started to watch Our Welsh Chapel Dream, I realised that Marj Hogarth reminds me very much of Phillipa Perry.

Grayson's Art Club was one of my TV highlights during lockdown.

Oh me too Silverbrooks - Grayson Perry is so joyous and unashamedly himself - "gender rigid" is how he describes himself.

I've always had a secret desire for him to be my best friend!

Marj also resembles a younger Dawn French. I must admit I had assumed that Keith was gay, but they make a lovely couple.

Agreed, ferry23.

When I started to watch Our Welsh Chapel Dream, I realised that Marj Hogarth reminds me very much of Phillipa Perry.

Grayson's Art Club was one of my TV highlights during lockdown.

Steve's was very clever, but you would have to have it on a rotating base and spin it every time you passed it to get the proper effect. (I would spin it & it would fall off and shatter )

Natalie's was a bit messy - and the handles didn't really look like handles.

They were all worthy finalists and it's been one of the best seasons.

I always think that Keith & his partner's "quirkiness" are the sort of Grayson & Phillipa Perry equivalent of the pottery world. Looking forward to seeing how how the Chapel has come on but will miss my weekly pottery fix.

Totally agree, Silverbrooks!

I think Siobhan is great. She has just the right blend of friendliness without being intrusive. And while there are some funny “rude” moments - it was while before Natalie’s vegetable lamp looked like beetroot!!! - she doesn’t overdo the innuendo - sometimes just a wry look to camera.

I read that Siobhan is tipped to be the host of the Irish version of The Traitors. I think a good choice.

BlueBelle

I did love it but I m starting to find it so predicable why do stars if they get a positive about something keep doing it It was nice to see Keith get emotional once or twice now it’s just silly to cry every time, same with the splodging one item into the bucket
I just wish it was less choreographed as they make some beautiful things
I wonder where Rose has gone

I agree, all the crying has got out of hand.I may be on my own here ( comfortable with that) but I cannot stand Siobhan at all.
The actual pottery making, interesting as usual.

Unlike other similar programmes I feel TGPT is close to perfection. The contestants seem to genuinely get on and I love the way they often help each other.

Siobhan makes friends with everybody and is as daft as a brush without being cringey. She obviously takes her role very seriously as is always supportive.

Rich is just lovely and very attractive. He genuinely wants the contestants to do their best and build up their skills.

Keith is a one off. His passion for his craft and his emotional investment in the contestants shine through every episode.
He also has a very off beat sense of humour; look up his 'tribute' to Adele if you want to see for yourself.

I wanted both James and Steve to win! Natalie is very talented too.

Thanks J52. I will definitely be watching. They came across as really likeable people and so well suited as a couple.

Nuttynanna2

I watched a programme with Keith and his wife renovating a huge old Welsh Chapel into a home and studio. It seemed an overwhelming task but they rolled up their sleeves and tackled it with the help of builders. I wonder if they have progressed as the programme left us hanging a bit. It wasn't very homely. They used an old mortuary table in the kitchen. Each to their own but it made me shudder.

The next series on the renovation is coming on CH4. They mentioned it at the end of the Throw down , but I can’t remember when it is.

I watched a programme with Keith and his wife renovating a huge old Welsh Chapel into a home and studio. It seemed an overwhelming task but they rolled up their sleeves and tackled it with the help of builders. I wonder if they have progressed as the programme left us hanging a bit. It wasn't very homely. They used an old mortuary table in the kitchen. Each to their own but it made me shudder.

I thinks James’ talent shone through all along. Steve was a well deserved second and seemed to improve as time went on.
In the final, I did doubt if James would win as Steve’s amphora was well constructed and interestingly decorated.
I’m afraid Natalie’s wasn’t her best work, probably nerves got the better of her.

We often hear the judges mention “the kiln gods” so I am sometimes confused by what is a construction error or just bad luck.

James wasn’t someone who made mistakes very often (I think he lost a bug wing in raku week which is a very unpredictable medium anyway). Something relatively straighforward like a handle wouldn't have fazed him so I’m guessing this was bad luck, compared to say the crack inside Natalie’s amphora which was because her coiling was too wet and collapsing under the weight.

I had mixed feelings about the final. It was clear to me from quite early on who the three would be in the final.

My reservation was that when breakages have happened earlier in the series the potter has been penalised. Having said that, the winning amphora was the most inventive with lovely original touches like the flying saucer flying into the side of it. Steve's amphora was beautifully made and finished but a more conventional take on the challenge. Natalie showed daring and skill but I preferred some of her other makes.

Love this program. The last 3 all amazing but James was the correct winner. Congratulations to all 3.

As soon as Rich said vote with your heart I knew who had won.

I thought Natalie's amphora was ambitious and flamboyant but messy in the execution. Steve's animated amphora was clever but perhaps only really impactful when spinning. James's amphora married ancient tradition with pop art. That embedded flying saucer was inspired. Based on that and his equally inspired "cardboard" Hellsmouth fireplace from the semi-final made him a deserved winner.

I thoroughly enjoyed the final, and was in agreement with the winner. I got quite emotional.

Has anyone watched the series with Keith and his wife renovating an old Welsh chapel, now on channel 4 player? It is a huge project which will probably take years and hundreds of thousands of pounds which they don't have. They are a lovely couple, and so nice to each other despite all the setbacks!

Natalie, Steve and James were all worthy of their place in the final which was one of the closest in years.
I thought James had blown it when one of the handles on his Greek amphora shattered during the first firing. However, so unusual and impactful was his decoration that he was crowned the winner.
The presenter, Siobhan and the judges, Keith and Rich, are perfect for this competition.
Roll on the next series.

I read that Rose wanted to leave.

I am just so impressed that beautiful things can be made from a lump of clay.

I did love it but I m starting to find it so predicable why do stars if they get a positive about something keep doing it It was nice to see Keith get emotional once or twice now it’s just silly to cry every time, same with the splodging one item into the bucket
I just wish it was less choreographed as they make some beautiful things
I wonder where Rose has gone

I am enjoying the current series, loved the winning salad bowls on the first show. Siobhan the presenter has grown on me too. She is just naturally funny, not there to make silly jokes like the Sewing Bee ones.