The Great British Sewing Bee's new host Sophie Willan has exposed the 'wild' backstage dynamic between judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young, revealing they share a dressing room and even enjoy karaoke nights together outside of filming.
Sophie Willan spills the beans on The One Show
Sophie Willan, the comedian and actor who replaced Sara Pascoe as host of the hit BBC One show this year, appeared on The One Show to discuss her new role. During the interview, she let viewers in on the close relationship between Patrick, 54, and Esme, 77, describing them as 'amazing' and 'like a double act'.
She said: "They are amazing. They're like a double act because she's a bit like Yoda - if Yoda was a punk who's really lived her life - and Patrick is just like this...he cycles in to work every day."
Sharing a dressing room and karaoke nights
Willan revealed that the pair have chosen to share a dressing room, despite having the option for separate ones. "They're just wild. And they've set up this little double act and they choose to share a dressing room now!" she said.
"They're in the dressing room together, she's on the sofa scrolling like a teenage girl and he's doing emails. They're hilarious. And they dress up and do karaoke together, they did Yoko and John Lennon last time. They're like peas in a pod."
When co-host JB Gill asked if they 'hung out' in their spare time, Sophie confirmed: "On their time off they hang out together and they go to karaoke and they dress up."
Who is Esme Young?
Esme Young, born in Bedford, has had a fascinating career in fashion. Her real name is Emma, but she changed it to Esme after a teacher mistakenly called her by that name. In 1972, she co-founded the Camden Town boutique Swanky Modes with fellow designers Judy Dewsbury, Melanie Herberfield, and Willie Walters. Their designs were featured in Vogue and worn by celebrities such as Grace Jones, Julie Christie, and Cher.
Esme also has a background in film costumes, famously designing the bunny costume worn by Renee Zellweger in Bridget Jones's Diary. She has worked on films including The Beach, Romeo & Juliet, and Trainspotting. In addition to her role on The Great British Sewing Bee, she teaches at Central Saint Martins and is involved in the 'Exploding Fashion' project, which highlights the importance of pattern cutting. She now lives in West London.
Who is Patrick Grant?
Patrick Grant is a Scottish clothier and the current director of Community Clothing and textile manufacturer Cookson & Clegg. He is the former director of bespoke tailors Norton & Sons of Savile Row and the E. Tautz & Sons clothing line, winning the Menswear Designer award at the British Fashion Awards in 2010 after relaunching the company as a ready-to-wear label.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Patrick moved from London to Lancashire in March 2020 to run his factory in Blackburn, where he was making personal protective equipment (PPE) for the NHS. He now divides his time between London and Yorkshire, where he lives with his partner Rachael Hampton, a dentist he met in 2022.
