Readers' Comments on The Great Pottery Throwdown

Yesterday I hoped my commentary How Pottery Throwdown is a better programme than Artist of the Year might have some resonance with readers of my blog.

I was surprised to see how very many thought 

• my analysis was spot on
• offered a few more views of their own.

So today is a READERS SPECIAL. Below you'll find comments left on my post when it was published on my Facebook Page yesterday

There were a number of themes - and I've organised the comments under the themes. Any emboldened comments are due to me highlighting them in bold.

Participating Potters in The Great Pottery Throwdown 2026
(Facebook 30 December 2025)

I highly recommend subscribing to The Great Pottery Throwdown Facebook Page. Always guaranteed to make you feel good!

What makes Throwdown special?

Totally agree-it’s a very skilfully put together programme, with an approach that seems very supportive and yes educational. The judges are very skilled in their field and respond with useful feedback and in a way that is positive and specific.
It’s thoughtful, gentle and actually about process and creativity and skill. Jo York Art

I totally agree with your assessment. There’s one more aspect of Throwdown that brings me joy, and that is how close the participants get to each other. There’s a real sense that they develop lifetime friendships and a community of likeminded people. And they help each other, whether it’s carrying things to the drying room, or flipping something heavy over. I remember an episode where one potter asked another for advice. The advice given was real advice, intended to really help. Diana Hume

Very much agree. I am a painter and art teacher but I prefer Throw Down to L/PAOTY. Much more interesting, educational and a pleasure to watch. Sue Bradley Artist

Plus a lot more in the section on the Judges..... 

Why the Format works

it’s mainly the format which lends itself to better showcasing the contestants’ skills (one big project which can be practiced and prepped plus a shorter test which is not revealed in advance) Hil Beavan 

The Great Pottery Throwdown is a gem! We get to know the potters over several weeks and care about them. As a group, they are so supportive of each other and the judges genuinely want them all to do well. I’m a painter, but this is my favourite programme to watch. Sarah Clark

Art versus Craft

I love the Pottery one, watch it religiously. Your comparison is spot on Katherine. I think the difference stems from the age old craft verses art problem that most people in the art world seem to suffer from, i.e. they seem to be afraid of the “craft” of art, the mastery of skills and techniques. It is almost like the magic circle, such a mysterious secret, that to really show and explain the process would not be good for the general public.  Sarah Wimperis 

The Judges

The Throwdown Judges 2026
Rich Miller and Keith Brymer Jones

Keith Brumer Jones 
25 March 2025

Last year, I had the good fortune to meet Keith Brymer Jones at Grayson Perry's exhibition at the Wallace Collection. I of course did the naff fan thing and introduced myself and said how much I enjoyed the show!

This is what you had to say.....

The warmth of the two Pottery judges of course makes a massive difference to setting the tone, and you never feel they look down their noses at anyone’s work even if it is not to their personal taste. This means that they can be straightforward about their comments, which always have a kind spin - even when something gets splatted in the Bucket of Doom! And of course they deliver their judgments directly to the contestants rather than behind the easels in a secret discussion. Hil Beavan

I love Pottery Throwdown! And how Keith gets so emotional when someone does good. He truly cares. Patty Henderson

Such kindness shown, and encouragement and I could go on….  Jane Duncan

The judges seem to care about the potters & their work &, yes, your comments about criteria for making & judging are spot on. Cath Allwood

Plus contrasting how the Judges behaved with the Judges in PAOTY/LAOTY

When they go around to each contestant during the makes, they often give helpful advice on what they see as the pitfalls to come. 

The po-faced inane utterances of the infamous trio from PAOTY and LAOTY are the very opposite. Kate Pearce

I wished that the PAOTY or LAOTY gets more detailed crit by the judges at the end. I found their cursory opinions often very vague and feels some of the artists were short changed for their efforts. I don’t see the points to show their discussion for the selections when the actual paintings were hidden from the viewers. It makes it look less serious about art than making a TV show. Yoriko Cole 

and my final word on the contrast with PAOTY/LAOTY 

You only have to read the comments on just about every review I write of every PAOTY / LAOTY episode to realise that very many viewers are very critical of the Judges. Mostly in relation to wiffle waffle language and the obscured way in which they talk about the judging.

What would be interesting is to change the judges and see if people were still critical i.e. is it the format or is it the judges? Making A Mark

About the Throwdown Judges

Here's a teeny bit about both of them. 

• They are, of course, THE REAL THING i.e. practising potters - except they make ceramics and tiles! 
• They've both been at it for a very long time - and they run their own businesses!

Keith Brymer Jones

Many people know me as the judge on the popular TV show, the Great Pottery Throw Down, but my real job, and my passion, is ceramics. I have been a ceramicist and design expert amassing both knowledge and experience for over four decades. Not only have I been successful with my own collection of ceramics, the award winning ‘Word Range’, I also work collaboratively with both British & International designers, artists illustrators & fashion houses. 

Rich Miller

Richard studied ceramics at the Surrey Institute of Art and Design, graduating in 2003 . For the last 19 years he’s been running Froyle Tiles, a handmade tile company based in Surrey. Specialising in the bespoke production of high fired stoneware tiles, they have to date carried out a range of commissions for a variety of notable architects and designers.

and should Love Productions be reading.....

At least one reader out there would like Love Productions to tackle Printmaking as well!

Although I watch all the programmes you mention TGPT is definitely my favourite. I’m not a potter but I am an artist and a printmaker and would love to see the firm behind the Pottery, Sewing Bee and Bake off tackle Printmaking- with a different technique each week and a technical challenge as well.. I think it would be interesting and informative- the general public have no idea of the work involved in producing print based artwork! Drusilla Cole, Former Senior lecturer at University of the Arts London 

How Pottery Throwdown is a better programme than Artist of the Year

There have been a number of television programmes over the years about creating/making things in a competitive context and I've commented on a lot of them (see my Art on Television page)

I've been writing reviews of the Portrait and Lansdscape Artist of the Year series (and others) since 2018 and I've been watching The Great Pottery Throwdown since it started - but never reviewed it.

However this year, I feel prompted to say why I think Pottery Throwdown is a better programme

This is in the context of the multiple criticisms over the years of PAOTY and LAOTY, many of which are shared by viewers.

The Love Productions pic for The Great Pottery Throwdown

So here goes

Do you want to apply for The Great Pottery Throwdown? (series 8)

The latest series of the absolutely amazing "feel good" programme which is Great Pottery Throwdown" is drawing to an end - and the FINAL is tonight! 

This is the stage at which they always start the search for the participants for the next series......

Do you want to apply for The Great Pottery Throwdown?

If you are thinking you have the right knowledge and experience to enter, below is a very brief summary of "what you need to know". 

You can also find a longer summary HERE PLUS you MUST read 

• the Rules of Entry
• the Terms and Conditions and
• the Privacy Policy

This is where to start https://eu.castitreach.com/ag/love/gptd8/welcome.html

Who can apply

Only those who are:

• aged 18 or above on 25th February 2024.
• a resident of the UK (including Isle of Man and Channel Islands) 
• NOT a professional potter, meaning that
• you do not work full time as a potter, either at home or in a professional environment, 
• nor does your main source of income derive from commercial ceramics or pottery.
• NOT a Fellow or a Selected Member of the Craft Potters Association (CPA) 
• nor can you be judged, by the programme makers, to be at that level.
• NOT connected to the Love Productions (who make the programme) or Channel 4 (which broadcasts it) in any way
• can commit 100% to the filming days during a filming period between August and November 2024. (I get the impression it's weekends - not sure why)
• agreeable to background checks being performed to confirm who you are and what you have/have not done.
• able to respond accurately to all questions asked and do not withhold anything when asked
• able to keep all information about the application process for the programme and the programme itself strictly confidential.

This confidentiality applies and continues whether or not you are selected to take part in the Programme or remain actively involved in the Programme. You are not permitted to respond to any approach from the press or anyone else enquiring about the application or production process, anyone else involved in the process and/or anything about the Programme and will refer any such enquiries immediately to Love Productions.

What you need to do

Call for Entries: The Great Pottery Throw Down (Series 7)

One of my favourite television series about art and crafts is The Great Pottery Throw Down. 

• I'm a fan of ceramics and love seeing what's possible with clay.
• I think the series often exhibits more creativity and imagination than many of the other art competitions I see on television and real life! 
• I like the fact it tests a team of potters across a range of knowledge, skills and practice - and accepts that not everybody is good at everything
• It's very inclusive - especially in relation to age. Nice to see 
• some older people getting a chance to shine! 
• lots of very nice people from diverse backgrounds and absolutely nobody who falling into the truly awful "I wannabe on the telly" or "been practising selfies a lot" categories
• It's also joyful and is a very definite feel good programme!
• Plus the Judges are skilled PRACTITIONERS who are very respectful and appreciative of those who take part - which is a VERY good reason for taking part.

(Why can't more art competitions be judged ONLY by those who are experts who practice their art or craft? Nudge nudge Sky Arts!)

Note: you can read a longer version of the above in The Great Pottery Throw Down is back!

I also love and highly recommend their Facebook Page which celebrates both the potters and their handiwork.

Call for Entries: The Great Pottery Throwdown Series 7

For those who need a prod - here's a quick summary of how to enter by 12 pm on Monday 17th April

Who can apply

You MUST BE:

• aged 18 years (or over) on 26th February 2023.
• resident of the UK (incl. Isle of Man and Channel Islands).
• able to commit to all the filming days (currently expected to be up to 30 days over a 9 to 10 week period during AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER 2023)
• in no way associated with Love Productions - who make the programme

You MUST NOT be:

• a professional potter, meaning that you do not work full time as a potter, either at home or in a professional environment, nor does your main source of income derive from commercial ceramics or pottery.
• a Fellow or a Selected member of the Craft Potters Association (CPA) 
• nor have ever been,
• nor can you be judged, by us, to be at that level.
• somebody who has been convicted of any serious crime. Details of convictions should be listed on the application form.

What you need to supply

You have to provide evidence of what you can do.

The Great Pottery Throw Down 2023

The 2023 Potters in The Great Pottery Throw Down

The Great Pottery Throw Down has started - Episode 1 of the latest series was broadcast last night. The presenter and judges are the same as last time and there are 12 contestants from varying backgrounds and locations within the UK. (Thanks to the person who creates this table for each series on Wikipedia)

The Potters of 2023 - Who's Who

You can "Meet the potters with a licence to kiln" (the jokes have not improved!) in this tweet

The programme is made by Love Productions, who also make the The Great British Bake Off and The Great British Sewing Bee. 

It suddenly struck me that all the productions:

• have a very strong "feel good" factor 
• create challenges which stretch the participants
• have expert judges who are honest and uncompromising in their critiques. They tell it like it is - and they don't always start with what you did well!

Which in the case of potters means, amongst other things, seeing their quick throw challenge output condemned to the bucket of doom if it's deemed unworthy of keeping!

It struck me that those wanting to expand their activities from making art to teaching art might do well to remember this. 

I must confess I'm always amazed by the fact that I get asked to critique what artists are doing in terms of their art and business strategies despite the fact that I insist all potential clients read my page which says I'm very honest and direct in my feedback and I do NOT tend to 'sugar coat' my critiques! In fact, people have told me it's WHY they come to me!!

My conclusion is that if you are clear:

• that you want people to do well
• you are not trying to take advantage of them
• AND deliver honest feedback so that they can make progress

then people appreciate you.

For me, it means with this programme, that they 

• test the contestants in a fair way - across a number of skills and techniques. 
• make challenges feasible within the timescale - but not easy. Which tends to sort the contestants out effectively

For me, it's a very effective formula....

I wish more television programmes related to arts and crafts were like this....

The feel good factor

I wrote down some of the things said at the beginning of the programme - which you can find below.

Comments by potters

"mentorship you can't buy"

"I love the fact that it is so warm and everything about it is encouraging"

"exciting but nerve wracking as well"

"there's "a lot of things that can go wrong"

Comments by Judges

"our potters have an intense passion about ceramics"

Here's their output this week, when they had to make a birthday celebration tea service as in:

• cake stand 
• cake slice
• two cups and saucers
• a cream pot - with a lid for a spoon
• a side plate

I was going to include pics of all the pottery output - but the way they've posted it on Twitter it just keeps on repeating.....

so here's the winner....

Congratulations, Loïs! Your birthday tea set in honour of your sister blew the judges away. #potterythrowdown pic.twitter.com/JdU4iKqn9v

— The Great Pottery Throw Down (@PotteryThrow) January 8, 2023

and here's the composite pic of the tea sets - which you can see in more detail on Facebook

Episode 1: The Celebratory Tea Sets

This is next week - when it's "slab building" - which always sounds really intimidating to me!

Next time, the potters get their mitts on Slab Building Week. Sunday 15th January at 7.45pm on @Channel4. #potterythrowdown pic.twitter.com/lY6gH6OgM1

— The Great Pottery Throw Down (@PotteryThrow) January 8, 2023

Where you can follow The Great Pottery Throw Down