The Great British Sewing Bee, BBC One, review: a welcome splash of escapism Presenter Joe Lycett and judges Esme Young and Patrick Grant were on good form in the first episode of series six of the popular sewing show

The Great British Sewing Bee, BBC One, 9pm ★★★

“If they choose the wrong fabric,” explained Esme Young, a judge on The Great British Sewing Bee, “it could be a disaster.” Later, one of the new crop of contestants, high street banker Mark, fretted over his tea dress: “No one wants a puckered cleavage, do they?”

Indeed they don’t, Mark, but one suspects that such concerns are not forefront in the nation’s mind just now. This presents something of a problem for a series as determinedly jolly as this one. Given the circumstances, is it still a welcome splash of escapism? Or just a pain in the backside that has failed to read the mood?

On the evidence of the opening episode, I would say the former. Lockdown or not, there has to be more to life than Huw Edwards’ furrowed brow. Joe Lycett is altogether better company. From the moment the presenter whipped a sheet off Esme, as though she were a mannequin, and said, “Oh dear, a few cobwebs on these”, I didn’t stop smiling.

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The format was largely unchanged from previous series. So as you would expect, the amateur sewers did some sewing and their efforts were judged by Esme and Patrick Grant.

Unlike, say, The Great British Bake Off, though, this is not a show that inspires you to get busy. Instead, the joy derives from watching people delight in their craft and in meeting curious personalities. On which note, it should be remembered that these early episodes are often clogged up with attention-seekers, desperate to make the most of their 15 minutes. There was rather too much bounce from student Alex and jewellery designer Nicole.

More interesting was medical consultant Clare. She didn’t thrust herself into the limelight, but she is clearly eccentric, enjoying “vintage” days out, sipping gin and dressing in 1940s threads. Therese, whose daughters tell her she dresses “like a sofa”, was also quietly amusing. Once things shake down, this series promises to stitch together very nicely.