Liza Tarbuck is back on television as the host of Channel 4's new series The Great Celebrity Pottery Throw Down 2026, which begins on Sunday, September 13. The role follows her departure from BBC Radio 2 earlier this year, a move she has described as leaving her feeling "bereft."
A New Challenge on Channel 4
The series sees Lucy Beaumont, Fatiha El-Ghorri, Richard Herring, Paul Merson, Denise Van Outen and Layton Williams competing head-to-head in the pottery challenge. In the first episode, the potters are tasked with making a breakfast set and face a surprise second challenge to throw the most toothbrush holders on the wheel.
When Tarbuck shared a trailer for the show on Instagram, followers expressed their excitement. One commented: "Never watched this before... Liza Tarbuck appears- I'M IN!" Another said: "Yay so excited to see Liza Tarbuck!!" A third wrote: "Liza's back in the game! Can't wait!"
Family and Early Life
Born in Liverpool in 1964, Tarbuck grew up near Kingston upon Thames. She is the daughter of comedian Jimmy Tarbuck and his wife Pauline, with an older sister, Cheryl, and a younger brother, James. She trained at the National Youth Theatre and RADA, graduating in 1986.
Beyond acting, she has presented shows including The Big Breakfast and The One Show and is a regular on Taskmaster. Her acting credits include Miranda, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Mount Pleasant.
Private Life and Radio 2 Exit
Tarbuck keeps her personal life largely out of the spotlight, though she shares glimpses on Instagram, including photos of her dog and her love of nature. Speaking to Woman & Home, she said: "If you believe everything you read, I've been single for about 20 years, but that isn't true. Some things I prefer to keep private." She added: "All I'll say here is I adore male company. It's extraordinary how great that attention can make you feel. And I don't do badly on that score, even if I'm single now."
In an interview with the Guardian, Tarbuck addressed her Radio 2 exit and fans' reactions. She said: "I was bereft about it, too. I miss angsting over the playlist. I miss the texts and emails. For two hours every weekend, we were a proper gang." She also clarified: "Lots of people, very kindly, thought I was ill or my parents were ill, but that wasn't the case. I was at Radio 2 on and off for 36 years in total. I realised it was time to go. The messages I received were deeply moving."
The Great Celebrity Pottery Throw Down 2026 airs on Channel 4 on Sunday, September 13 at 7.45pm.
