Sophie Willan, the new host of The Great British Sewing Bee, has a family life with her chef partner Carniel Francis Levy. The BBC show returned to screens last week, with Sophie taking over hosting duties from Sara Pascoe, a role announced in September 2025.
Sophie's rise to fame
Sophie rose to fame through her acclaimed BBC sitcom Alma's Not Normal, a semi-autobiographical comedy-drama drawing from her working-class roots in Bolton and her time within the care system. The programme addresses subjects including mental health, addiction, and sexuality, blending humour with genuine emotion. It debuted on BBC Two in 2020, with Sophie both writing and starring. After widespread critical praise, the second series launched in October 2024. Her contributions have secured her numerous BAFTAs, including Best Female Comedy Performance, Best Writer: Comedy, and Best Scripted Comedy.
Sophie has also featured in BBC's Ludwig, Time and Still Open All Hours, while demonstrating her comedy credentials on programmes including Taskmaster and Never Mind the Buzzcocks.
Sophie's family life
Sophie's partner is Carniel Francis Levy, an accomplished chef recognised for his expertise in contemporary Caribbean cooking. While the duration of their relationship hasn't been publicly disclosed, he made his debut on her social media in March 2025. She later posted on Instagram to share they were expecting their first child together, revealing that their lives were 'about to change forever, in the most chaotic, joyful and magical way'. Their son, Elijah, was born on 30 November 2025. The delighted new parents announced the news on social media, sharing photographs from the hospital showing Sophie holding the newborn while Carniel stood affectionately beside her. Sophie accompanied the moment with a series of heart emojis.
While she generally maintains privacy around her family life, she posted numerous cheerful updates and honest glimpses with followers throughout her pregnancy.
The Great British Sewing Bee is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
