Bee a DIVA!

THE GREAT BRITISH SEWING BEE

- REBECCA FLETCHER

TUESDAY, 9PM, BBC1 ENTERTAINMENT

Feather boas, glitter and sequins at the ready, dahlings, because it's Diva Week on BBC1's The Great British Sewing Bee! "We wanted impact, lots of impact and, goodness, did we get it!' smiles firm-but-fair judge Esme Young, no stranger to making sartorial statements herself as co-founder of 1970s fashion label Swanky Modes. 'We thought the quarter-final was a great opportunity for the sewers to get in touch with their own inner diva and make some fabulous items." Hosted by Kiell Smith-Bynoe, the sparkle-infused episode will see Esme and her colleague Patrick Grant (see our interview, below right) challenge the five remaining stitchers to make garments inspired by divas past and present, such as Sir Elton John, Mariah Carey, Tina Turner and Lady Gaga.

'Diva Week stands out as special for me. I really love it!' enthuses Esme, 75, as, here, she joins TV Times for an exclusive interview....

We love the sound of this glamorous new theme, Esme! How does the Pattern Challenge kick Diva Week off?

The Pattern task always tests the sewers' skills, and this was no different as they have to make Tina Turner's fringed dress! The look is so iconic and I was very worried they'd mess up, but they don't. The dress was finished with 11 metres of fringing, which is tricky as the sewing has to be precise and really line up, but I was impressed. It's a difficult challenge, but they all give it their best shot.

Tell us about the Transformation Challenge, where you ask the stitchers to envisage what a diva might wear while relaxing, adding an animal-print twist...