Great British Sewing Bee Fans Express Anger Over Schedule Clash

Viewers of the popular television programme The Great British Sewing Bee voiced their frustrations on social media during the eighth week of the 2025 competition. The episode, which aired on BBC One at 9 p.m. on March 15, 2025, featured challenges inspired by iconic moments from cinema history, but many fans were distracted by a significant scheduling conflict with another beloved show.

As the episode unfolded, the five remaining contestants tackled three distinct challenges. The first challenge required them to replicate the jacket worn by Tippi Hedren’s character in Alfred Hitchcock’s classic horror film, The Birds. For the transformation segment, contestants were provided with red cinema curtains and tiebacks, tasked with creating glamorous outfits suitable for a Hollywood red carpet. The final challenge involved designing an outfit for a character from a horror movie, adding an extra layer of creativity to the evening.

Despite the excitement of the challenges, many fans expressed their discontent on X, formerly known as Twitter, regarding the overlap with the new series of The Great British Bake Off, which premiered on Channel 4 at 8 p.m. for a 90-minute episode. Judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood returned to the cookery competition, drawing a significant audience.

One viewer commented, “Would be interested to see stats on how many viewers switch over from Bake Off on Channel 4 to BBC One for Sewing Bee at 9! Who decided a bl**dy overlap was a good idea?” Another user added, “Glad [GBBO] is back, but I wish it didn’t overlap with Sewing Bee.” The sentiment of frustration was echoed by several viewers, with one declaring, “UNACCEPTABLE OVERLAP.”

Conversely, not all viewers were upset by the schedule clash. Some shared their enthusiasm for the simultaneous airing of both shows. One viewer wrote, “Great British Bake Off followed by Sewing Bee!!! Life doesn’t get any better!” Another chimed in, “Great British Bake Off and Sewing Bee both in one night, Luvley Jubbly! Enjoy your evening all.”

As the competition continues, The Great British Sewing Bee will air its next episode on Tuesday at 9 p.m. on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The clash of fan-favourite programmes highlights the competitive nature of British television scheduling and the passionate audience that both shows attract.