The Great British Sewing Bee is back for its 10th series with a brand-new presenter, Kiell Smith-Bynoe. You can head over to our Sewing Bee guide to catch up on the latest episodes, and everything Bee-related!
We sat down with Kiell Smith-Bynoe to get all his thoughts and feelings about the latest series of the show. But first, discover more about Kiell’s background…
Who is Kiell Smith-Bynoe?
Kiell Smith-Bynoe is best known for his role as Mike – Alison’s non-spirit-seeing husband – in the BAFTA-nominated sitcom Ghosts. And for playing no-nonsense estate agent Dean in the BAFTA-winning comedy Stath Lets Flats.
What is Kiell Smith-Bynoe known for?
A contestant in last year’s 15th series of Taskmaster, he’s also starred in the crime drama Death in Paradise and the comedies Dreamland, Bloods and The Curse.
At last year’s Edinburgh Fringe, he co-starred in the musical comedy String V SPITTA and had his own late-night improv show Kiell Smith-Bynoe and Friends: Kool Story Bro, which has since gone on to sell out multiple London runs.
He also co-hosted the prestigious British Independent Film Awards in December.
How old is Kiell Smith-Bynoe?
He is 35, and was born on March 5, 1989.
Was Kiell Smith-Bynoe in Sewing Bee?
Yes! He competed in the 2021 Christmas special of The Great British Sewing Bee.
Where does Kiell live?
Kiell lives in London.
Meet The Great British Sewing Bee 2024's presenter Kiell Smith-Bynoe!
Here's what Kiell Smith-Bynoe has to say about 2024's Sewing Bee series...
How did it feel to be walking into the sewing room as the new boy?
Very nice. I was drawn back to the sewing machines, I can’t seem to leave them alone. It brought back memories – some fond ones and some fearful ones.
When I did the Christmas special in 2021, I think it was the hardest day's work I've ever done, I really do. I was not in any way prepared for how difficult it was going to be and I really tried hard. I haven't concentrated on anything that much before or since.
You sound slightly traumatised by the experience…
Well, yes. [He laughs] I thought it would be a little bit easier if I wasn’t actually doing the sewing. I'm not sure if I was right. It was still hard work, but better to be an observer and a supporter of other people doing the sewing rather than at the business end of an overlocker. And to judge them… even if it was just internally. I stood there thinking: ‘Rather them than me…’ most of the time.
Get the Sewing Bee look
Want to try making your own clothes? Get creative with our round-up of Sewing Bee-inspired patterns.
The job of host is sort of part-therapist, part-clown, isn’t it? How did you see your role?
That’s a very good way to describe it. You need a certain amount of likability, humour, tact… that was important to me.
I’ve been in that position when someone comes over and starts asking a question when you've got five minutes left to make a dress. It was important to try to put people at ease as they're working rather than distract them. Make their life easier, rather than harder. That’s what I’m aiming for anyway. I was definitely keeping it light. And it was important to make it about the sewers.
It was really nice to hear why people were making things and why they’re in the competition… especially as we got towards the final.
How did you come to take over hosting duties?
I have no idea! This is how it happened: Patrick sent me a DM on Twitter and said: ‘Please do the Sewing Bee job…’ My first reaction was I thought he’d tried to send this message two years ago about the Christmas special and it had only just come through. I responded with something like: ‘Again?’ And he was like: ‘No, stepping in for the main gig…’ I was like: ‘What?’ I hadn't heard anything about it. I contacted my agent and said: ‘Have you heard about this?’ And she said: ‘No…’ Then, the next day, she said: ‘They just sent me an email and said they’d like you to host…’ I was like: ‘What? Me?’
Can they not remember how I did in the sewing room?
[Laughing] Not just that… I've never presented before. It’s very new to me. I’ve presented some awards, but not like the whole ceremony, just a category. I was thinking of all sorts of reasons why they could have asked for me. I haven't got the answer yet, but it was nice to be there.
You obviously made an impression in the sewing room. It was your sparkling personality…
Oh, I see! Nobody told me that in the seven weeks we were filming…[He laughs]
Did anyone give you any advice?
Not really. Everyone was just like: ‘Do your thing…’ I was like ‘I don’t have a thing…’ because I've never presented before. He laughs]. I guess that was the best advice I could have got, though. I'm not trying to play the role of presenter, I’m just myself.
What's been the reaction from family and friends?
Mostly confusion. [He laughs] Quite a lot of people don't really understand how or why I'm doing this job, but they are very excited to watch. We’ll see what happens. Quite a few of my family are keen watchers…
Have they said: ‘Do not muck it up. We love this show…’?
Well, yeah. People were saying it’s their favourite show and I never knew. Some had their mouths open in shock. It's very different from what I’ve done before and very different from what I talk about doing or what I planned for my next steps. I’d never said: ‘Next up, I’ll think I’ll try to present…’
Sometimes that's the way the best things happen: by surprise…
Definitely. If I’d had more time to think about it, I don’t know if it would have been the same answer. I don't know if I would have done it in the same way. Maybe I would have overthought it, but I finished Edinburgh two days before we started filming, so I was kind of thrown into it rather than having a real plan.
Are any of your Ghosts co-stars fans of Sewing Bee?
A lot of the Ghosts lot don't watch TV. They’re too busy working or with kids or dogs. I’ve not discovered any secret sewers, but they’re all very excited about me doing it.
Ben [Willbond, who plays the Captain] was the first one I told because I was with him when I was asked about it for the first time. I said: ‘I’ve just been asked about Sewing Bee…’ and he said: ‘Oh, fantastic!’ I was like: ‘Is it?’ It was good to see that reaction firsthand. I thought: ‘Well, he's responded positively, so maybe I should say yes to this unexpected offer.’
What's the standard of the sewers this year?
I just couldn't believe people had these ideas and could put them together from scratch in the number of hours they had… and to perfection. It really blew my mind.
Tell us about this year’s sewers. What’s the age range?
Oh, we’re talking from 20 to 84. That wide. There’s a huge range of life experience there. We have teachers, someone from uni, an office manager… all sorts, but they all really love sewing. I wouldn't say they were competitive. At all. If anything, it was too much the other way. People were always helping each other.
You’ll notice people are really quite serious about the craft, but also about being nice and kind and looking out for each other.
Kiell Smith-Bynoe
There's so much awfulness in the world, it’s nice to see people who are supposed to be in competition actually supporting each other, isn't it?
Definitely. You’ll notice people are really quite serious about the craft, but also about being nice and kind and looking out for each other. And the series will be full of emotion from early on.
What were your favourite challenges?
There’s a lot of very high-quality stuff made across the 10 weeks. The transformation challenges always shocked me because seeing what they start with and what they end up with… it’s really rewarding.
With that transformation challenge, it’s whatever is given to you on the table and that could be anything. One week there was loads of party paraphernalia: party hats, tablecloths, paper plates, stuff like that. To see them make dresses out of that was really impressive. And when they turned old nautical gear into a holiday bag, there was fishing nets, life jackets, rope… those sorts of things. It was extraordinary.
What about the made-to-measure challenges?
The stage outfit for a diva in Diva Week… that was cool. Madonna, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga… I could see those people wearing the outfits. Definitely. That was an incredibly hard episode to judge because everyone did so well. It’s really interesting to see different people's take on things like upcycling a wedding dress. That was the made-to-measure challenge in Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Week. It’s quite amazing they don’t end up with X amount of the same thing.
How much fun did you, Esme and Patrick have? We know Esme likes to play music in the green room…
Oh, Esme was dropping those bangers non-stop. It was like our own personal DJ in the green room. She’s really good at it. There’s a bit of a singsong, but it’s often interrupted by us being told they’re ready for us to film downstairs. I didn’t manage to socialise as much as I would have liked in the evenings… just because they were such long days and you’re shattered. I did have a lot of good food – that was a priority of mine. I found some really good restaurants in Leeds. I hunted those down.
Meet Esme Young
We’ve caught up with the brilliant Esme to hear her thoughts on the brand-new series of The Great British Sewing Bee! Read the Interview.
Do people do a double-take to see you out with Patrick and Esme?
Well, Patrick and I went to watch Judi Love in her stand-up show in Leeds and there was nobody who knew both our names. It was either they knew me and didn’t recognise Patrick or the other way around. People didn't work out why we were together. Well, I don't think so. I don’t think it’s obvious enough. You don’t see me and think: ‘He must be hosting Sewing Bee…’ Even I wouldn’t think it. It took me by surprise.
Did you find it hard to send sewers home?
That was the difficult bit, yeah. That was quite tough – especially as you get closer to the final. You’re learning bits about their lives and sharing stuff. Sure, it’s only a few hours a day, but you can build quite a bond in that time. When you realise they have to go home and it's you that has to tell them… it’s tough.
Ever get a tear in the eye?
I was very close. There was one exit, the week before the final, and this person's little speech before they left really got me. And to go out in the semi-final… you’re so close, aren’t you?
Is there anybody you’d love to see take part in Celebrity Sewing Bee?
Oh, loads of people. A lot of comedians. Lou Sanders, for example, is someone who seems to be able to turn her hand to anything. She’s quite fashionable, too. She makes good clothing choices. It could be something she'd be interested in and I’d love to see how she’d do. And Natasia Demetriou [his co-star in Stath Lets Flats]. I’d like to find out what her capabilities were.
QUOTE: We got a new chum! The brilliantly hilarious KS-B, comin atcha for Series 10 (yes it’s true!) and this year's super lolz Christmas spesh. Enjoy.
Judge Patrick Grant on his Instagram
We can’t wait to see Kiell on Series 10 of The Great British Sewing Bee 2024!
Kiell is a brilliant actor and you may recognise him from shows such as Ghosts, Stath Lets Flats and Taskmaster.
Keen Sewing Bee fans may remember he appeared in the 2021 Christmas special as a contestant. He was one of our favourite celeb participants and we will never forget him opting to use the fleece fabric the wrong way around... so he could stroke it!
We can't wait to see him present series 10 of the Great British Sewing Bee. Welcome to the Sewing Bee family, Kiell!
Meet Sewing Bee judge Patrick Grant
Catch up with Patrick Grant as we interview him about series 10 of The Great British Sewing Bee!
