Shift the Thrift, a brand-new show that airs on BBC1 as part of its daytime schedule and is also available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Hosted by Joanna Page, the series follows contestants as they hunt through charity shops across the UK, transforming second-hand finds into upcycled pieces before selling them in fast-paced live auctions – all in aid of charity. Each episode is set in a different town and celebrates creativity, sustainability and the thrill of thrifting.

Look out for a familiar face; the show features Brand Ambassador and Annie Sloan Flagship Stockist, Tristan Merriam from Doghead Designs. We asked Tristan to tell us more about what it was like being on the show and what he painted.

“For the series, I worked on five upcycling projects, each one showcasing how powerful paint can be when it comes to reimagining furniture:”

• Scrabble Board → Shelving Unit
  I took an old Scrabble board and reworked it into a practical shelving unit. The added wooden shelves were painted in Oxford Navy and sealed with lacquer for a clean, contemporary finish.

• Jewellery Box
  This piece gave me the chance to really celebrate colour and pattern. Using Capri Pink, Frida Blue, Arles, Provence and Florence, I created freehand designs that bring vibrancy and individuality to the piece.

• Hall Stand (Bloomsbury-inspired)
  Inspired by the expressive style of the Bloomsbury Group, I used Firle, Scandinavian Pink, Aubusson Blue and Greek Blue to build a layered, artistic look.

• Nest of Tables (Paint Pour)
  With these tables, I explored a paint pour technique using Old White, Barcelona Orange, Capri and Sandalwood Red—creating flowing, organic patterns that make each table one of a kind.

• Desk Organiser (Indian-inspired design)
  Drawing on Indian-inspired patterns, I used Capability Green, Amsterdam, Sandalwood Red and Tilton to create a bold, decorative finish full of detail.

You can see these transformations in my episodes – Chepstow, Carmarthen, High Wycombe, Bridgend and Aberystwyth- now available on BBC iPlayer.

I’ve always loved the thrill of thrifting – there’s something special about rummaging through charity shops and spotting potential where others might not. Too often, furniture gets written off and thrown away, when in reality a bit of creativity and the right paint can completely transform it.

That’s exactly what Shift the Thrift is all about – and why being part of it felt like such a natural fit.

Shift the Thrift, a brand-new show that airs on BBC1 as part of its daytime schedule and is also available to stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK.

Watch here