The ex-diver is so fantastic that this needle-based Bake Off wannabe is 80% better every time he’s on screen. He absolutely makes this show
‘A
new generation of knitters is taking the world by storm,” says Tom Daley, striding towards us in his ankle-length woollen poncho. “With just two needles, they are testing the limits of creativity.”
And so it proves, as 10 of “the nation’s finest” amateur wool enthusiasts join the Olympic diver (and recently murdered Celebrity Traitor) “to battle it out, stitch by stitch” for the chance to win the ineffably snuggly eight-part series Game of Wool: Britain’s Best Knitter.
The contestants, then. Among those gathering (like wool!) in the series’ bespoke “yarn barn” are unblinking cybersecurity student Isaac, blushing ex-Royal Marine Simon, preternaturally wise yarn-owl Ailsa and tense librarian Dipti (“Go away. I’m knitting”). There is, additionally, self-defeating cruise ship singer Gordon (“Oh God”). And then there is Holger. “To tell me that I have to express myself using a super-chunky yarn is like asking a vegetarian to express themselves through the medium of steak,” he tuts. Holger wears a bow tie and has brought a knitted emotional support chicken with him. “Yes, it represents me,” he says, wearily. “It is a nonchalant chicken.” It’s clearly only a matter of time before Holger and his emotional support chicken are given their own series, in which they journey between spa towns in search of Britain’s smallest doily.
