Jonathan Jolly-Vanderheyden Pottery Throw Down Wiki, Age, Wife

January 4, 2025 Editor

Jonathan Jolly-Vanderheyden Biography – Jonathan Jolly-Vanderheyden Wiki

Jonathan Jolly-Vanderheyden is a potter and contestant on The Great Pottery Throw Down 2025. He runs Jolly Potter Ceramic Studio, making hand-thrown functional stoneware in southwest Scotland.

Originally from Leeds, Jonathan has had a varied life. After spending time in the Royal Navy, he lived in France for a few years and has worked as a school janitor and a lorry driver.

In 2009, keen cyclist Jonathan broke his neck in a bike accident and was briefly paralysed from the neck down. This life-changing injury and long road to recovery led Jonathan to pottery, as he was given clay to help his physical recuperation. He spoke about the ordeal and how he joined the pottery world in a previous interview.

He said: “I had a life changing cycling accident affecting my spinal cord. As part of my recovery I discovered clay as a medium for my hand therapy and recovery.” He added: “Discovering pottery, I soon realised it was one of the best methods to regain control. Pottery quickly became both a hobby and therapy for me, providing a challenge that allowed me to regain dexterity in my hands.”

Outside of pottery, Jonathan is an avid Citroën car fan and regularly goes abroad to 2CV meet-ups.

Jonathan Jolly-Vanderheyden Age

Jonathan was born in Leeds. He is 61 years old.

Jonathan Jolly-Vanderheyden Wife

Jonathan Jolly-Vanderheyden lives in Scotland with his Belgian wife Nicole Jolly-vanderheyden. They run a holiday let business together. He loves spending time with his children and grandchildren, as well as joining Nicole in her mushroom foraging hobby.

Jonathan Jolly-Vanderheyden Great Pottery Throw Down

61-year-old Jonathan Jolly-Vanderheyden will be talking part in series 8 of the Great Pottery throw Down. The show follows 12 budding potters as they compete in the challenges set by judges Richard Miller and Keith Brymer Jones. They will be joined this series by new Kiln Technician Princess Fingall, who was a contestant in series 7 of the show.

The Great Pottery Throw Down 2025 potters are Victor Ng, Steve Brown, Stephen Parkes, Olivia Rowan, Natalie Dawn Sims Rees, James Stanley Watson, Imy Kiara Harris, Hayley Rowlands, Francesca Dourado, Chris Parkes, Diana Parker and Jonathan.