The Great Pottery Throw Down 2025: Start date, host details, and contestant lineup

The Great Pottery Throw Down is set to grace our screens once again tonight. The beloved Channel 4 show will feature 12 amateur potters vying for the title in the programme's eighth series.

Judges Keith Brymer Jones and Richard Miller are back on board for the new series, ready to put the contestants through their pottery-making trials. Siobhan McSweeney, known for her role in the hit sitcom Derry Girls, also makes a return as the presenter of the series.

The competitors will face a variety of challenges as they strive to follow in the footsteps of Donna, the previous champion of The Great Pottery Throw Down. Here's what audiences can look forward to in the upcoming series.

When does The Great Pottery Throw Down 2025 air?

The Great Pottery Throw Down is set to make its comeback on Channel 4 on Sunday, January 5 at 7.45pm, marking the start of the eighth series. The new series will comprise 10 episodes, each airing on Sunday evenings, reports Stoke on Trent Live.

Who is hosting The Great Pottery Throw Down 2025?

Siobhan McSweeney will be back at the helm, presenting the new series of The Great Pottery Throw Down.

Where is The Great Pottery Throw Down filmed?

The Great Pottery Throw Down is shot at the Gladstone Pottery Museum in Stoke-on-Trent's Longton. The museum reopened its doors for 2025 on Thursday, January 2.

The leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Jane Ashworth, has expressed her excitement over the local gem: "Gladstone Pottery Museum is a real gem in our city's cultural heritage. It's a much-loved, award-winning visitor attraction and heritage site that welcomes around 3,000 visitors a month. The early opening in 2025 is a fantastic way to celebrate both our centenary and the museum's 50th anniversary. The museum attracts visitors from across the globe and it's great that we're able to offer extended access during this special year. If you've never been before, why not make the time in 2025 to come out and support our local attractions and see what's on offer."

Twelve skilled contestants are preparing for a creative showdown to earn the title of the next Great Pottery Throw Down champion. Let's meet some of them:

Chris, 36

Chris, a 36 year old military veteran, bravely served for six years in the British Army. His life-altering experience on an Afghan battlefield, where he lost his leg to an IED explosion, propelled him into a new chapter.

Seeking an active post-military life, Chris discovered a passion for archery. His skill with a bow led to him competing in the Invictus Games and joining the GB Athletic team.

Life recently presented Chris with a joyous event - the birth of his first child with wife Pippa just weeks before the show began. Fittingly named Archer, the newborn already has much to be proud of, including his fathers adventurous spirit.

True to his daredevil nature, Chris's wedding made quite the entrance, as he skydived in for the occasion.

Diana, 62

Diana, aged 62, brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity to the competition, having retired from a fulfilling career teaching art, design and textiles.

Diana, a native of Derbyshire, has recently settled into retirement on a picturesque smallholding in Dorset with her husband Chris, a retired vet. The couple spend their days tending to pigs, hens, geese and quail, as well as cultivating their own vegetables.

Diana's love for pottery began in her teenage years, leading her to switch her study plans to a pottery course. After a 27-year career teaching art, design and textiles, she now spends her retirement indulging in her hobbies which include pottery, knitting, piano playing and singing in her local choir.

Francesca, 28

Francesca, a 28 year old makeup artist, was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya. Her passion for crafts began at a young age, dabbling in pottery, woodwork, painting and printmaking.

This led her to study fashion design, followed by makeup and prosthetics. However, it was during a visit to her mother in India where she enrolled in a local pottery course that reignited her love for clay.

Having travelled the world, Francesca has recently made Bristol her home with her chef fiance David, but they are always ready for their next adventure.

Hayley, 55

Hayley, who was born and raised on a Dorset farm, now resides in Suffolk with her husband Adam and their two children. She has been a social worker for over three decades and initially took up pottery as a relaxing hobby outside of work.

Hayley draws inspiration from nature, spending ample time outdoors with her conservationist husband. Known as 'Wild Hayley' in her younger years due to her love for adventure and partying, she now enjoys bird watching, sea swimming, nature walks, book club meetings, and the occasional music festival.

Imy, 22

Imy, a 22 year old model, was born deaf and relied on hearing aids and lip reading for communication growing up. Less than a year ago, she received a cochlear implant which not only improved her hearing but also allowed her to enjoy music clearly for the first time.

After travelling solo to Australia, Thailand, and Bali post-school, she took a pottery class upon returning home and fell in love with it. Imy, who works part-time as a model, is passionate about promoting deaf awareness so that other young people don't feel alone.

James, 42

James, a resident of Belfast, shares his home with his partner Duane of 14 years, their 15 year old son Art, and Buster the cat. Previously a cake maker, James now holds a project manager position at a consultancy firm and co-leads their LGBTQIA+ network.

His love for pottery was ignited three years ago when he joined a night class with his sister-in-law. A fan of horror movies, James enjoys incorporating spooky themes into his work but also has a soft spot for a good rom-com!

Jonathan, 61

Jonathan, 61, is a holiday let owner hailing originally from Leeds. His life journey has been diverse, including stints in the Royal Navy, living in France, and working as a school janitor and lorry driver.

Now contentedly settled in Scotland with his Belgian wife Nicole, they jointly run a holiday let business. Jonathan's life took a dramatic turn 15 years ago when a cycling accident left him briefly paralysed from the neck down.

This traumatic event led him to pottery, using clay as part of his physical recovery. A devoted Citroen car enthusiast, Jonathan often travels abroad for 2CV meet-ups.

When not indulging in his passion for cars, he enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren, and joining Nicole in her mushroom foraging pursuits.

Natalie, 41

Natalie, a swimming and aqua aerobics instructor from Derby, lives with her wife Sarah and their 6 year old daughter Albie. She had an 18-year career as a dancer, travelling the world on cruise ships, but her most memorable job was performing the cancan at Paris's famous Moulin Rouge.

Natalie studied ceramics at A-level and returned to it after retiring from dancing. Her work is often inspired by the places she's visited and the costumes she's worn.

Olivia, 26

Olivia, a 26 year old Art and Design teacher, has always loved art, especially hand-building with clay. This passion led her to study ceramics at university and pursue a teaching career.

Despite her busy schedule, Olivia finds time for other interests like playing drums in her dad's political punk rock band, attending music and arts festivals with her boyfriend Jim, and leading cycle tour groups around her hometown of Liverpool. She once cycled all the way to Glastonbury with her dad.

Stephen, 58

Hailing from Nottingham but now residing in Birmingham, Stephen shares his life with his partner of 11 years, Phil. They've recently become homeowners and Stephen enjoys spending time in his new garage studio.

After a 17-year stint as a ceramic technician, he's transitioned to an audio-visual and IT technician role. Beyond pottery and work, Stephen has a penchant for Smurf collecting, hula hooping, and treasure hunting even holding world records for his Smurf collection and hula hooping skills, and discovering historic coins and a key from middle England.

Steve, 48

Steve, aged 48, is an animator by profession. Raised in North Wales, he spent several years living and working in London before settling down in rural Herefordshire with his partner, Rhonda.

With credits on blockbuster films and awards under his belt, Steve has been a professional animator for the majority of his career. He has a myriad of hobbies including beer brewing, fishing, gardening, cheese and shoe making, and preserving his homegrown vegetables through fermentation, kimchi style!

A few years ago, Steve discovered a passion for pottery and now has a studio in his garden where he takes a break from his computer screen.

He loves sharing his varied interests with his grown-up step-children when they come to visit.

Victor, 31

Victor, a 31 year old digital product designer.

Victor, originally from Hong Kong, relocated to Vancouver with his family at the tender age of seven. After completing a degree in Business, he swiftly transitioned into Design, unveiling a creative side he had never delved into before.

His profession led him to London a few years back where he now designs prototype virtual reality apps during the day and spends his leisure time cooking, running or socialising with friends. He developed a passion for pottery five years ago and has since discovered a local pottery community near his new residence.