Reality TV with an extra bit of sparkle
ALL THAT GLITTERS: BRITAIN’S NEXT JEWELLERY STAR BBC2, 8pm
PROVING that you really can make a TV talent show out of absolutely anything, this ‘best jeweller’ competition is the latest offering.
Comedian Katherine Ryan sparkles the most as the glamorous and ever-so-slightly naughty host of the contest.
“I think it’s high time we celebrated people up and down the land putting in the hours to make us sparkle,” she says.
Over six weeks, eight jewellers will do battle to become the next big thing, scrutinised by jeweller-to-the-stars Shaun Leane and world-renowned jewellery designer Solange Azagury-Partridge.
What do they want? “The
new fearless, driven, ambitious jeweller of our generation,” says Shaun.
“Jewellery is so tense!” mocks happy-go-lucky contestant Sonny.
From a workshop in Birmingham’s jewellery quarter, the contestants have to face two challenges every week – The Bestseller and The Bespoke.
And – just like pretty much every other TV talent show format – after that, one is named Jeweller of the Week and one will go home.
For The Bestseller challenge they must make three silver bangles, each different, but that complement each other.
The judges want a personal stamp and mass appeal in three hours.
Then for The Bespoke task, they must make a pendant for a client to give to his mother as she collects an MBE for her 35 years of foster parenting.
There’s a lot of welding, hammering, soldering and panic as the judges find out who is sparkling the brightest and who is a little rough around the edges.
All in all, another enjoyable gem in the TV schedules.