Great British Sewing Bee star forced to miss challenge as surprise absence explained

A contestant on The Great British Sewing Bee was forced to miss a challenge, with host Sara Pascoe explaining her absence halfway through the show.

The much-loved sewing contest made its comeback on BBC One tonight, featuring judges Esme Young and Patrick Grant ready to mentor a fresh crop of tailoring talents.

Yet, after participating in the initial task and finishing her second challenge piece, Glendora found herself unable to partake in the judging and last task as she fell ill.

Sara, who resumed her presenting duties post-maternity leave, announced: "Unfortunately though, Glendora feels unwell so won't be attending the judging."

Glendora's absence didn't prevent her circle skirt from being judged; it secured ninth place despite her not being there for the transformation challenge critique, reports the Mirror.

When it came time for the Made to Measure challenge, where contestants were to craft a flawlessly fitted dress featuring pleats, Glendora was notably missing.

Sara informed the group: "Unfortunately, Glendora is still unwell and won't be joining us today, but we wish her better and hopefully she'll be back with us soon."

Earlier in the show, 59-year-old bus driver Glendora shared that she took up sewing at the age of eight.

Boasting an impressive feat of crafting 36 quilts since June 2021, she described her sewing approach as "ambitious".

"My sewing style is classic, I'm not whacky and strange... that's probably me personally but my clothes tend to be quite classic lines," Glendora remarked.

"If I wouldn't wear it, it's not worth me making it," she continued.

With Glendora's withdrawal from the final challenge, judge Patrick conceded it seemed the "fair thing" to avoid eliminating anyone, leaving numerous contestants emotional upon realising they'd progressed to next week's episode, where two participants would face departure.

He explained: "We've had a phenomenal first week, we've had a fantastic group of sewers, and with Glendora not taking part in the challenge today, it just felt like the fair thing to do to send nobody home."

Viewers were thrilled by The Sewing Bee's return to television tonight, flocking to X to express their enthusiasm.

"Oh I do love this, so pleased it's back," one posted.

Another declared: "Ten weeks of entertainment ahead my favourite #SewingBee is back."

"When there's a new season of the #sewingbee so i get to fangirl over sara's outfits every week," a third commented.

Comedian Sara resumed her hosting duties - having succeeded previous presenters Claudia Winkleman and Joe Lycett - following a year's hiatus during which Kiell Smith-Bynoe served as her temporary substitute.

Previewing the fresh series, she revealed to Radio Times that this year she felt she truly "bedded into" casual conversation, noting the new participants are "really good chatters".

"They've all got banter," she noted. "They're really good at Dad jokes and puns. And they're happy to muck around.

"None of them are too stressed about the sewing... or if they were stressed, they hid it well."

The Great British Sewing Bee airs Tuesdays at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.