Tom Daley admits 'there were tears' filming reality show - 'it was heartbreaking'
Joining forces with knitting industry experts, Tom Daley fronts The Game of Wool on Channel 4. Filming for the show was filled with drama, heartbreak and even tears.
Olympic diving legend Tom Daley has swapped water for wool as he brings his favourite hobby to the screen in The Game Of Wool – but filming was far from smooth sailing.
The new Channel 4 competition follows 10 passionate knitters and crocheters as they stitch, loop and purl their way toward the title of Britain’s Best Knitter.
“It’s been a huge passion of mine to get as many people involved in knitting as possible because of the mindfulness aspect of it,” says Tom Daley, 31. But he warns, “It’s not the relaxing journey the contestants are probably used to.”
Across eight weeks and 16 challenges, competitors will push their creativity and endurance to the limit. “It’s a very intense competition,” Tom says.
“It starts with a group knit, which is a surprise challenge. They only find out as I say it for the first time. Then, they have to work in teams.”
Hours of meticulous work go into each creation. “Some of the challenges are 10 or 12 hours,” he says, “That seems like a long time to knit something but it’s a very small amount of time to knit a jumper, a cardigan.”
Tom, however, only serves as host – the tough decisions fall to industry icons Di Gilpin and Sheila Greenwell, who preside as judges. “They get to decide who they want to cast off,” Tom explains. “We’ll end up with one winner.”
READ MORE: 'I'm a beauty writer and I tried the same hair mask Michelle Keegan swears by'For Tom, the show is more than just a competition, it’s a celebration of community, creativity and breaking stereotypes. “We have people from all backgrounds and genders,” Tom says.
“We have a builder who is a proper lad’s lad and he loves to knit on a building site. Another had just turned 18 when they applied. They were the youngest they could possibly be. It’s amazing to see the depth of their talent and all the things they can create. You’ll see that knitting is for everyone.”
One challenge, involving a notoriously tricky lace, unravelled more than a few nerves. “There were tantrums and tears,” Tom remembers. “That was the most intense challenge. This is knitting like you’ve never seen it before.”
As a host, Tom had to resist the urge to step in when contestants struggled. “There was one occasion where I saw someone making a huge mistake and I had to not say anything,” he says.
“I’m not meant to get involved. Somebody else didn’t quite understand how to follow the pattern, it all unravelled. It was really heartbreaking.”
Each episode builds towards a dramatic visit to the “Stitchuation Room”, where Tom, Di and Sheila pick their Knitter Of The Week before saying goodbye to one unlucky crafter.
The show also boasts a “Haberdashery Of Dreams” – a treasure trove of materials – and the Yarn Barn, the vibrant heart of the competition.
Filming took place in the scenic Scottish countryside and Tom made sure his own wardrobe matched the creativity of the contestants. “I always wind Sheila up,” Tom says. “Every day, I come in and she’s like ‘Oh God, what are you wearing?’”
For Tom, The Game O f Wool is a chance to reframe what knitting means to modern Britain. “It’s going to inspire a new generation of knitters and crocheters, and I hope we can start getting it back into the school curriculum as well,” he says.
“It’s incredibly important for kids to get involved, for mindfulness and to get away from screens. There’s a real sense of achievement when people make something for themselves, that every stitch is made with love.”
The Game of Wool airs on Channel 4 on Sunday, November 2nd.
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