Gold dust from sawdust

Channel 4, 8pm IS there any skill left untouched by the producers of a ‘Great British’ talent show?

In this latest concoction, it’s chisels at the ready as nine talented crafts people compete to be crowned Britain’s Best Woodworker.

Mel Giedroyc hosts, which rings some Bake Off bells – but whether the subject is Victoria sponge or a plank of wood, her ability to add a light touch to proceedings never fails.

And whether they are talking about good wood, dead wood or screwing something together, it’s all ripe for innuendo – as all the best British shows are.

“Ahh, that feeling when you’re in the shed and you’ve got a tool in your hand!” says contestant Radha.

Overseeing the Welsh workshop are award-winning architect Alex de

Rijke and queen of furniture making Helen Welch, both of whom manage to politely chop the hopefuls down to size with their remarks.

My guess is they will become more scathing as the series goes on.

Each week the contestants face two challenges, the Big Build and an on-the-spot skills test.

In tonight’s show, the woodworkers have two days to build themselves a bed of dreams that could quite easily become the stuff of nightmares. And in the surprise skills challenge, they must celebrate the fine skill of hand carving, with the prize of a week’s immunity for the winning contestant.

It’s all quite soothing to watch as they go about sawing and sanding as they create their epic beds – including one that is boat-shaped and one that has a headboard with a tree ‘growing’ out of it.

Strangely you just can’t get stuff like this in Ikea...

NAILED IT A contestant, left, is grilled by Mel, Alex and Helen