Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.
Already a member?
Log in
Sara Pascoe has opened up about her exit from The Great British Sewing Bee, claiming she “absolutely did not” quit the cosy competition show – but was “replaced with a younger woman” by the BBC.
The comedian, now 45, hosted the series in 2022 and 2023, before taking a year off after welcoming her second child.
Pascoe then returned in 2025, before it was announced that Alma’s Not Normal star Sophie Willan, 38, was taking over ahead of that year’s Christmas special and the next full series.
Pascoe addressed the matter during an appearance on Harry Hill’s eponymous podcast, where the host asked her: “There’s The Great British Sewing Bee, do you still do that?”
“No. They replaced me with a younger woman,” she replied. “Showbusiness is harsh.”
“You gave it up, right?” asked Hill, to which Pascoe replied: “No I didn’t, absolutely not.”
“I’m, I’m very lucky for the work I’ve had, I’m very gracious, I have bought a house, I send love and light to everyone,” she added.
The BBC declined to comment when approached by The Independent.
When Willan’s hosting role was announced in September last year, the BBC said: “Sara has been a brilliant, witty and much-loved presence in the sewing room and both the BBC and the Bee team thank her for three wonderful series.”
Commissioning editor Cal Turner added: “We are delighted to welcome Sophie Willan to The Great British Sewing Bee. With her boundless enthusiasm and energy, Sophie will bring her own unique spark to the sewing room alongside Patrick and Esme.
“We’d also like to thank Sara Pascoe for three brilliant series – her humour and charm have been a joy for viewers and stitchers alike.”
The Great British Sewing Bee has been fronted by a number of hosts since it launched on BBC Two in 2013.
The first four series of the Bake Off-inspired show were fronted by Claudia Winkleman. After a three-year hiatus, it returned in 2019 with Joe Lycett at the helm. He then stepped aside in 2021, making way for Pascoe, whose maternity leave in 2024 was covered by Ghosts actor Kiell Smith-Bynoe.
New host Willan is best known for writing and starring in the BBC Two sitcom Alma’s Not Normal, which has won two Baftas: best female comedy performance for Willan in 2022 and best scripted comedy in 2025.
She also narrated Channel 4’s The Circle, took part in the 2017 series of Taskmaster and appeared as a guest judge on last year’s series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
