Joanna Page Returns to TV in Thrifting Competition
Joanna Page, known for her role in Gavin and Stacey, is set to return to television screens with a new BBC series titled Shift the Thrift. The show features contestants competing to find and sell second-hand items, with proceeds benefiting charity.
Shift the Thrift challenges two contestants in each episode to explore charity shops, discover valuable items, creatively transform one of them, and then auction the items live to raise funds for charity.
Page’s Personal Thrifting Experience
An enthusiastic thrifter herself, Joanna Page shared her own success story from the series involving a vase she upcycled.
"I realised not only could I talk a lot, but I can do quite a bit of artwork."
The 49-year-old actress from Swansea explained her experience on BBC's The One Show:
"I upcycled a vase I got for about £2, and live on the auction I was drawing on it and doing things. The money went up, up and up."
"I think we ended up selling it for more than £100."
She also noted the community aspect of the auctions:
"You really start bonding with the whole online auction community."
Lighthearted Moments with Martin Freeman
Martin Freeman, who appeared alongside Page on The One Show, joked about her newfound loquacity:
"This is where you discovered you could talk a lot?"
Page responded with humor:
"Yes, this late in my life."
Show Format and Details
In each episode, two contestants visit charity shops with a budget of £100 and one hour to purchase up to 10 items. Among these, one item must be upcycled before the live auction. The contestant who raises the most money donates the proceeds to a charity of their choice.
The series consists of 12 episodes, each lasting 30 minutes, filmed across various towns in the UK, including six locations in Wales.
Page praised the upcycling aspect of the show, sharing an example:
"The upcycling item has been fantastic. One day somebody bought a sleeping bag, it was blue and yellow and it was upcycled into a puffer jacket with the original zips and everything."
Live Auction Experience
Although Page had never participated in a live auction before, she said she felt "in her element" during the show.
"It's utterly terrifying. Before we went live they're counting you down and somebody just handed me a teapot and said 'okay, you're auctioning this'."
"I fell back into acting mode. But also, it's really nice when you do start talking because you're doing it live."
Background and Other Projects
Joanna Page is best known for portraying Stacey Shipman in the popular BBC romantic comedy Gavin and Stacey. She has also been involved in other television projects such as Joanna Page's Wild Life on BBC Two and Wynne & Joanna: All At Sea on BBC One.
Page mentioned that she has been customizing and upcycling clothes for years, making Shift the Thrift a perfect fit for her interests.
Broadcast Information
Shift the Thrift will air on BBC One at 14:00 BST starting 13 April.
