Sewing Bee Christmas Special - 21st Dec at 9pm

[SoupDragon]

New host Kiell Smith-Bynoe.

I love Kiell but I'm not sure if he's right for this. I'm prepared to be surprised though!

I don't know, I'm really sad about it. It felt flat and boring hence nearly falling asleep, that's never happened before either. It is weird. The contestants, out of the four I only knew Toyah but that shouldn't make a difference as the usual programmes have strangers (at first) and I have always been engaged and entertained from the start. This time...not . Ah well, let see what happens when the new series starts.

My favourite presenter was way back at the beginning - Claudia. Her presenting style was quite gentle but with humour. I think I like her best because she's a presenter rather than a comic (has to show off) or actor....

Just watched as I was wrapping presents 😄
I really enjoyed it! And that's despite finding Toyah really annoying. Mind you I wasn't a massive fan back then - more into Hazel O'Connor than Toyah Wilcox.
I did smile at the idea of this "punk" rocker going out for tea with Diana and wanting to join the royals 🤔
It was a shame they judged the winner purely on the last item alone. Kerry's sprout was fab and there was a lot of work in that pyjama outfit . But hey ho.
I liked Kiell. I thought he was genuine and friendly. So, I'm looking forward to the next series

I think sometimes the one off specials lack the appeal of a series. I never watch one off Bake Offs , for example.

It does seem they are recruiting direct from Taskmaster!

I liked the presenter just fine. Comparisons with Claudia are rather invidious as she is the goddess.

Although it did seem like they judged it only on the last item, Toyah was second in both the other challenges. Kerry and Jess had one triumph and one utter disaster each. It was probably a fair result. I think it could have been any of those three for the win.

My least favourite presenter of this is Sarah by a long way. She was improving by the end though.

I really liked Kiell. Can’t stand Toyah Wilcox, I'm afraid, who seems to have a new agent as she’s in a lot of things currently. I’m expecting her to turn up in Strictly and/or Masterchef soon, if she hasn’t been already.

The Brussels sprout (that won that challenge) was great.

On the fence about Kiell, I've never seen him in anything so don't know who who he is. He was fine, just a bit dull, it felt like one of the crew had been asked to stand in as the presenter was missing that day.

Meant Esme looked so small

I was bored by this as I had only heard of Toyah. If they are going to do a celebrity whatever then they all have to be celebrities. I'd rather just have 4 randoms do it otherwise. Maybe if they had a "celebrities with sewing experience" special it would attract more celebs. The presenter is always annoying in my opinion. If you're trying to complete a garment in a rush you don't want someone trying to do party games. I'd rather have a serious presenter who can sew and give advice to those struggling or give useful sewing tips to those watching.

They were all established and successful writers, actors and comedians, and a lot better known than the usual reality dross who pass for ‘celebrities’.

They were all established and successful writers, actors and comedians, and a lot better known than the usual reality dross who pass for ‘celebrities’.

Indeed they are. Kerry especially I’ve loved watching for quite a few years. And if I’m honest, I tuned in especially because of Kiell, Jess and Kerry.

Fair play to reality stars for maximising their foray into the spotlight but they may only be famous for rubbing against someone else on a tv programme.

I struggle with classing that as celebrity.

Hints and tips and how to segments would be fabulous though. They are riding the light entertainment clothes horse alas - and I think they are always going to go for a comedic host to gussy it all up.

Kiell was good for me. He won’t be for everyone - just like the other presenters.

I'm surprised by the negative comments as I really enjoyed it. Hammed was funny, I love Kerry & Jessica anyway and it was nice to see Toyah. Even if I it did give me flashbacks to the dodgy makeup I tried to copy back in the day.

I also thought Kiell was good. I like his dry humour & he didn't try to make the show about him. I think he'd be great with non-celebs in the main series.

If they are going to do a celebrity whatever then they all have to be celebrities

as others have said, they all were!