An amateur potter from Fermanagh has reached the final of Channel Four’s ‘Great Pottery Throw Down’ after succeeding in creating a fully functional novelty urinal on Sunday night’s semi-final show.
Anna McGurn, who is from the Boa Island area, was one of four potters to compete in the semi-final which aired on Sunday, February 28.
During the show, the potters were left feeling flushed as they were tasked to make fully functional urinals of their own design, before recreating the iconic Wedgwood Jasperware, in a bid for a place in the final.
Anna’s Steampunk urinal design – ‘A Pot To Pee In’ – thoroughly impressed the judges.
“We thought this was the most ambitious build,” commented judge Keith Brymer Jones as he spoke to Anna about her design.
“It’s miraculous,” said judge Rich Miller, adding: “It’s miraculous that that’s in one piece, because if I was a betting man I would have bet on that being in probably three pieces.”
After some laughs, he continued: “The way it feels like it’s been bolted onto the wall with all this exposed pipe work – I think it’s great; it’s just a lovely, lovely idea, and you’ve executed it beautifully. The build is great.
Keith added: “You have one slight stress crack, but apart from that, it looks pretty good. I actually really love it, I think it’s great.”
When they tested the flush of the urinal, it was perfectly functional, filling the bowl and draining away successfully, with Keith commenting that this was the result of a “very clever design”.
Anna McGurn's urinal design 'A Pot To Pee In'.
Later, when the judges were deliberating over the four semi-finalists with presenter Siobhan McSweeney, Anna received high praise as Rich called her urinal design “flawless” and “a great build”.
At the end of the show, the judges made the announcement that contestant Lucinda was going home, meaning that Anna, along with her fellow contestants AJ and Christine, had made it to the final.
“Oh my God – how did that happen?”, said Anna, who looked visibly shocked at the news that she would be competing in the final of the show.
“I kinda think I’ve just fallen into it in many respects. It’s a bit mad, isn’t it? Oh my God, I’m in the final!” she added.
Anna will compete in the Great Pottery Throw Down finale on Sunday, March 6 at 7.45pm on Channel 4.
Anna McGurn.
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