Great British Sewing Bee 2025: Series 11 Contestants & Winner

If you were one of the thousands who cheered when the final stitches were sewn on The Great British Sewing Bee, Series 11 delivered exactly the kind of dramatic finish you were hoping for. The new season brought fresh faces, emotional storytelling, and plenty of sewing drama — all while navigating some behind-the-scenes questions that had fans wondering whether the show itself was in flux.

Series: 11 · Premiere Date: 15 July 2025 · Channel: BBC One · Judges: Patrick Grant and Esme Young · Presenter: Sara Pascoe

The table below summarises the key production details and cast information for Series 11.

What is Esme Young’s illness?

Before Series 11 aired, some viewers had questions about Esme Young’s health based on past news coverage. During the series itself, however, Esme Young participated fully as a judge with no reported health issues during filming.

Esme Young’s health problem

Esme Young has previously spoken publicly about living with a heart condition. She underwent open-heart surgery several years ago, a fact that became part of Series 11’s emotional narrative when winner Caz referenced similar health experiences in her winning garment. During Series 11 itself, there were no reports of Esme facing any health challenges that affected her judging duties.

What happened to Esme Young’s voice?

Some viewers speculated about changes in Esme Young’s voice during past seasons, though no confirmed reports from authoritative sources attribute this to any specific medical cause. For Series 11, Esme was fully present and active in her role as judge alongside Patrick Grant.

Where can I watch British Sewing Bee 2025?

BBC One aired Series 11 on Tuesday evenings at 9pm, starting 15 July 2025. For those who missed the live broadcasts, the full series is available on BBC iPlayer following each episode’s initial air date.

Streaming episodes online

BBC iPlayer remains the primary streaming destination for The Great British Sewing Bee Series 11. Episodes typically become available shortly after their initial BBC One broadcast, allowing viewers to watch at their convenience. The platform also offers previous series for those catching up on earlier seasons.

BBC One air times

The series aired weekly on BBC One at 9pm on Tuesdays. This prime-time slot places the show in direct competition with other popular Tuesday evening programmes, though The Great British Sewing Bee has maintained a loyal audience throughout its run. The final episode on 16 September 2025 drew the season’s climax with Caz’s victory.

Will there be a Great British Sewing Bee in 2026?

BBC has confirmed that The Great British Sewing Bee will return in 2026, marking the continuation of what has become one of the BBC’s most-watched lifestyle programmes. The eleventh season’s strong viewership numbers during 2025 have reinforced the show’s position in the schedules.

Series 11 details

Series 11 featured 12 amateur sewers competing over 10 main episodes filmed at Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley, Leeds. The historic mill, founded in 1829 and ceased textile operations in 2008, provided a distinctive setting for the competition. Finalists Caz, Órla, and Yasmin demonstrated the high skill level that has characterised recent seasons.

Great British Sewing Bee 2026 confirmation

The BBC has formally confirmed the show will return in 2026, though specific details about the exact series number, potential format changes, or premiere date have not yet been announced. Industry speculation suggests the show will maintain its Tuesday evening BBC One slot when it returns.

Presenter for 2026

Sara Pascoe returned for Series 11 after previously taking maternity leave, but her future involvement beyond Series 11 has not been explicitly confirmed by the BBC. Some media reports have suggested different names for potential 2026 hosting duties, though the broadcaster has not announced a formal decision.

Who is Patrick Grant’s partner?

Patrick Grant is one of The Great British Sewing Bee’s longest-serving judges, joining the show in its early series alongside Jo Fletcher and later Esme Young when the format shifted to its current judging panel. Details about his personal life remain largely private.

Patrick Grant personal life

Patrick Grant runs a Savile Row tailor’s shop and has built his public profile around tailoring expertise and BBC television appearances. Beyond his professional credentials, he maintains considerable privacy regarding personal relationships, and no confirmed information about a long-term partner has appeared in authoritative sources.

Are Patrick and Esme friends in real life?

Patrick Grant and Esme Young have served as co-judges on The Great British Sewing Bee for multiple series, and their on-screen chemistry suggests a working relationship that has developed over time. Both have praised each other’s expertise in interviews, though neither has publicly described their connection as a personal friendship beyond their professional collaboration.

Judge Patrick Grant praised Caz’s bravery in sharing her story.

— Gathered.how

Great British Sewing Bee 2025 contestants and winner

Series 11 introduced twelve contestants representing a range of ages, locations, and sewing backgrounds. The competition ran across ten main episodes, with dramatic eliminations building toward the climactic final.

2025 contestants list

The full Series 11 lineup included Caz, Kit, Gaynor, Jess, Órla, Peter, Glendora, Yasmin, Novello, Dan, Saffie, and Stuart. Each brought distinct skills to the competition, with episode challenges testing everything from pattern adaptation to garment construction under time pressure. Notably, Glendora fell ill during episode 1 and could not participate in some challenges, though no elimination occurred that week due to her absence.

The performance summary below shows how key contestants performed throughout the competition.

Caz’s dominance in the competition was evident—she earned Garment of the Week four times, the highest tally among all contestants.

Series 11 winner

Caz was crowned the winner of The Great British Sewing Bee Series 11 on 16 July 2025. Her victory was met with widespread public support, with viewers taking to social media to share their own NHS stories following Caz’s emotional tribute during the final. Her winning garment was a golden ribcage dress featuring a central zip, deliberately designed to symbolise the open-heart surgery she underwent four years prior.

“This is to say thankyou to all the staff at Stoke University Hospital,” Caz explained during the finale, dedicating her victory to NHS staff who cared for her during her medical journey.

“This is to say thankyou to all the staff at Stoke University Hospital.”

— Caz, Series 11 Winner (Gathered.how)

Judge Patrick Grant publicly praised Caz’s bravery in sharing her personal story during the competition, calling attention to the emotional weight behind her technically impressive work. The final challenge itself tested competitors with a bias-cut slip dress, transforming sheer garments, and a Trompe l’oeil outfit — a fitting climax for a series known for its demanding construction challenges.

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Frequently asked questions

For British television audiences who have followed The Great British Sewing Bee through its various format evolutions, Series 11 delivered both competitive drama and personal storytelling at its finest. With the BBC confirming the show’s return in 2026, fans can expect more amateur sewing talent on their screens — though whether Sara Pascoe returns as presenter remains the most pressing question until an official announcement arrives.