The Great Pottery Throw Down has been snapped up by Channel 4 with new host Melanie Sykes after being axed by the BBC.

The TV show, made by the company behind The Great British Bake Off, previously aired on BBC Two.

Sara Cox, 44, fronted the show for two series before it was cancelled in 2018, sparking a petition signed by more than 30,000 people calling for its return.

Channel 4 said it has commissioned a new series from Love Productions.

Sara Cox previously fronted the show
Sara Cox previously fronted the show (Ian West/PA)

Sykes, 49, joins as host, alongside returning judge and master potter Keith Brymer Jones and new judge and award-winning ceramicist Sue Pryke.

Sykes, who shot to fame  in adverts for Boddingtons beer, said: “I am so pleased to have been asked to present The Great Pottery Throw Down.

“I am a huge fan of art in all its forms and love being around creative people. It’s such a feel-good, inspiring show and it is an honour and a thrill to be working on it.”

Channel 4  head of features and format Sarah Lazenby said: “We all need more joyous escapism in our lives, so we’re thrilled to welcome The Great Pottery Throw Down to the channel.”

Love Productions executive producer Sarah Thomson Woolley said of Sykes: “Melanie’s northern roots, her sense of humour, laughter and warmth will be right at home on the cobbles at Middleport in Stoke, the home of pottery.”

The 10-part series will follow 12  home potters as they strive to create their most intricate and imaginative work.