The Great Pottery Throw Down Series 8 - Exit Week Five

In the fifth episode of The Great Pottery Throw Down, things were getting nostalgic as the eight remaining potters created a set of shop fronts that fill them with warm happy memories. Judges Rich Miller and Keith Brymer Jones decided who was potter of the week and who will leave the pottery.

At the end of the episode host Siobhán McSweeney announced that Natalie was Potter of the Week, and sadly Stephen had to leave the pottery.

On hearing the news, Stephen said: ‘It’s fine, it was my turn, I knew it was me. I am fine with it, and I am trying not to be too harsh on myself. Would I do it again? Yes in a heartbeat.

‘The experience is just amazing and to be around the other Potters has just been incredible.’

Here Stephen talks about his time in the Pottery:

There were some new themes in this series – is there any particular week you enjoyed or found tricky during your time on GPTD.

I enjoyed building the clock, I loved the modelling, the sprigging also the decorating.

Best and worst moment overall for you during the series?

The best moments were whenever Siobhán came to my table and we interacted with each other, also I really enjoyed the blindfold throwing more than I thought I would. The worst moment, realising my slabs had dried to the point where I couldn’t do what I wanted to do with them. It was then that I knew I was going to be going home that week.

Do you think when you watch it back on television will there be parts that you completely missed because you were concentrating on your pottery?

I am sure there will be many. Once you get given the go, you forget what’s going on in the room and focus on the task at hand. I have good hearing though so sometimes you would pick up on things.

What was the funniest moment that happened throughout the series, can be on or off set?

I think when my story producer asked me about the thickness of my slabs in centimeters and we couldn’t work out the conversion from inches to centimeters. We were laughing so hard, it was a really funny moment. Four of us and none of us had any idea.

Would you encourage other amateur Potters out there to have a go on the series and why?

Gosh yes, definitely. I almost didn’t apply this year, but I am so glad I did, it’s been a fantastic experience from start to finish. I am really sad it’s all over and would do it again in a heartbeat.

Will you make again anything from the series, when you are at home and have more time?

Yes, I am going to make all of the builds from the show – if I can fit them in my kiln. I have already made the vegetable lamp from episode 6.

What were you most nervous about the whole experience and did it turn out okay in the end?

I was most nervous about the second challenges, not knowing what the challenge was going to be each week. I didn’t always do well in the second challenges, but I gave them my best shot.

Do you feel you have progressed now as a Potter? 

I have learnt that I need to practice my throwing, I think I have learned now that I can make what I am asked under tight conditions so now in my own time I will be able to cope with whatever I need to make.

How emotional were you when you had to leave, and how supportive was everyone?

I was fine when I left, I felt it was going to be me that was leaving so I had the time to adjust. It didn’t really hit me until a week after I left. Everyone was very supportive.

What will you take away from your experience of being on The Great Pottery Throw Down.

I will take away some wonderful memories, and now I have 11 new potters that are my clay family.

What’s the biggest thing you have learned from being on the series?

To not be as negative as I am, to try and be proud and believe in myself more.

What would you like to make next and how big or small?

I would like to make the bird bath from episode 7, I will however have to make it in 3 sections so that I can fire it in my kiln.

What’s next for you in the pottery world?

I would love to be doing pottery full time, either through teaching small classes or selling my work. I would love to make that a possibility in the future.