The Bee's KNEES!

SARA PASCOE on why she's buzzing about life in the Sewing Room

-  SARAH SELWOOD

THE GREAT BRITISH SEWING BEE

WEDNESDAY, 9PM, BBC1 REALITY

Sara Pascoe is bursting at the seams with excitement as she joins TV Times for an exclusive interview about all things The Great British Sewing Bee.

Following a stint as a contestant on the 2020 celebrity Christmas edition and helming the two 2021 festive specials, the popular comedian is delighted to have taken over hosting duties for series eight of the hit BBC1 competition, after predecessor Joe Lycett stepped down.

Here, Sara, 41, tells us about this week's 1930s-themed quarter-final, plus she shares her Sewing Room secrets...

This is your first full series hosting the show. What has been your favourite part of the experience?

The best bit is getting to meet the sewers, to learn about their lives outside the Sewing Room and what's brought them to making clothes, and then to watch their journey as they push themselves and improve - it's pretty special.

And your least favourite?

Early mornings. Once, my taxi driver dropped me off at the wrong mill [the 2022 series was filmed in former textile mill Sunny Bank Mills in Leeds] and I was so tired that I didn't know what to do about it. I thought, I'll just sleep in the car park and they'll have to come and find me.'

Did Joe Lycett give you any advice?

Joe is the reason I wanted to do the job - he made it look so fun and creative. He told me how much he loved the entire team and production company. I actually saw Joe at a gig the evening of my audition and he made me believe I COULD do the job!

What reaction have you had from Sewing Bee fans now that they've seen you in action?