A local blacksmith is set to showcase his talents on a new BBC One show.

Govan-based Andy Mckenzie will feature in Make it at Market, which aims to help aspiring makers to turn their hobby into a full-time business with the help of a mentor.

Presented by The Repair Shop’s Dom Chinea, the series will feature an eclectic mix of amateurs, ranging from potters, blacksmiths and weavers to woodworkers, jewellers and furniture-makers.

Glasgow Times:

Andy, who works offshore to support his family, recently had a little boy with his wife and wants to pursue his hobby full-time so he can spend more time with his “game-changer” new son.

He told the Glasgow Times he makes a ‘little bit of everything’ at his forge, from custom handrails to repairing broken ironwork.

Glasgow Times:

Unlike some makers who found more time to pursue their hobbies over lockdown, Andy was still working offshore, and the teaching aspect of his business suffered.

However, he hopes that being a contestant on the new programme will allow him to pursue the craft full-time and help develop his more artistic side.

Glasgow Times:

He said: “I would really like to get into sculpture.

“I’ve got a few ideas for sculptures I would like to make but finding the time for it is next to impossible.”

Renowned blacksmith Adrian Wood will be mentoring Andy on the show.

Glasgow Times:

Andy claims most people tell him blacksmithing is a dying trade, but he thinks that couldn’t be further from the truth.

He said: “There’s been a real resurgence in traditional crafts, and I’ve noticed it being in the blacksmithing community.”

Andy, who is originally from England, said more people are taking up blacksmithing thanks to the American TV show Forged in Fire.

Glasgow Times:

He added: “Blacksmithing is never going to be what it was back in the 40s and 50s.

“There isn’t that village smith doing your odd job type thing. It’s very much more kind of artistic now.

“You’ll have people making really ornate gates and railings.”

Andy said blacksmiths can create innovative designs that ‘just-off-the-shelf’ fabrication isn’t able to.

Glasgow Times:

He added: “The rule I work from is if you can draw it, you can make it.”

He said the ironwork “can be incredibly organic and really ornate”, looking like something that has “grown”.

Govan is historically known for its iron shipbuilding and has deep roots with the blacksmithing trade.

Andy said: “It’s kind of cool to have that historic connection there.”

Glasgow Times:

Speaking about the new daytime show, presenter Dom said: “We have already started filming this series and it has been really inspirational to watch the amateurs develop and bloom.

“They have the skills already, but it’s great to see them really shine and fulfil their potential of making a viable business that will undoubtedly change their lives.”

Lindsay Bradbury, head of BBC daytime, said: “Make it at Market reveals the extraordinary skills that, with a helping hand, people can use to change the course of their lives.”

The show is set to hit the screen later this year.