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UCLan graduate wins competition to become Britain’s best potter

Posted on - 10th December, 2015 - 7:00am | Author - | Posted in - Arts, UCLan
Matthew Wilcox with his work

Matthew Wilcox is making his parents proud. Pics: BBC/Love Productions

A University of Central Lancashire graduate has been crowned Britain’s best budding potter after winning the Great Pottery Throwdown on BBC Two.

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Matthew Wilcock, who finished his Ceramics degree in 2013, emerged as the winner of the show from an original line-up of 10 contestants.

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Matthew, now 24 and the youngest potter on the show, said: “Words can’t describe it really, amazing, and I want to thank my mother and father for introducing me to clay.

“If I could break up the winning trophy into 10 shards to share with the other potters I would – but it would be a shame to ruin a good pot!”

Matthew’s father is Geoff Wilcock and he has worked at UCLan for the last 35 years as head ceramic technician.

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Pics: BBC/Love Productions

Pics: BBC/Love Productions

He said: “When Matthew won the Great Pottery Throwdown, his mum and I were both emotional and quite speechless.

“To say we were proud is an understatement. We were proud that he had progressed through every challenge with commitment and confidence.”

Keith Brymer Jones and Kate Malone were the Great Pottery Throwdown judges who had to decide who won the competition.

Finalists had to undergo several challenges including the final task of creating three high shouldered jugs.

Keith said: “What Matthew did to win this contest is that he married design with technical ability and a real knowledge with a sense and a love of ceramics. Really and truly he has got a soul for it.”

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Kate added: “What a pleasure to present the trophy to Matthew, he has really been consistently there as Top Potter, and really applied himself well.”

Matthew still exhibits his work with his Dad at UCLan.

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