Sara Pascoe reveals 'harsh' truth behind Great British Sewing Bee exit
Sara Pascoe has admitted the decision to leave the Great British Sewing Bee wasn't hers.
Sara Pascoe has claimed the BBC "replaced" her on The Great British Sewing Bee with "a younger woman".
The 45-year-old star has confirmed it wasn't her decision to step away from the BBC show in 2025 when Sophie Willan, 38, joined as her replacement.
Asked if she still did the series, she told The Harry Hill Show: "No. They replaced me with a younger woman. Showbusiness is harsh!"
Rather than criticising the people who made the decision, Sara hinted she wanted to keep doors open for the future.
She laughed: "I'm very lucky for the work I've had, I'm very gracious, I have bought a house. I send love and light to everyone."
However, Sara did reveal she would love to return one day as a contestant and "earn" her job back.
She teased: "This is my secret dream, I haven't told them this.
"I'm gonna learn to sew, I've got a sewing machine, I'm gonna enter the show as a sewer and then work my way up back to presenting it again. [laughs]"
When it comes to TV appearances on the likes of Would I Le To You, LOL: Last One Laughing UK and others, Sara insisted they are separate to her "actual proper job" as a stand-up comedian.
She explained: "I always feel very lucky to get to do it. It feels like an add-on to my job, not my actual proper job. It's a little added bonus."
The Great British Sewing Bee launched in 2013 and Claudia Winkleman and Joe Lycett have both previously served as host. And last year, Kiell Smith-Bynoe stepped in while Sara was on maternity leave.
In September 2025, the BBC confirmed Alma's Not Normal star Sophie was joining the Great British Sewing Bee as host for the Christmas Celebrity Special, before taking the reins on this year's regular series.
Cal Turner, BBC commissioning editor, said: "We are delighted to welcome Sophie Willan to The Great British Sewing Bee.
"With her boundless enthusiasm and energy, Sophie will bring her own unique spark to the sewing room alongside Patrick and Esme.
"We’d also like to thank Sara Pascoe for three brilliant series - her humour and charm have been a joy for viewers and stitchers alike."
Love Productions, who make the show, were equally "excited" to have a Sophie on board.
Tom Davies, executive producer at Love Productions, added: “We are so excited to have Sophie join the Sewing Bee team and we cannot wait to see what she brings to the sewing room.”
