Joanna Page returns to TV on Monday with new BBC thrifting series Shift the Thrift

-streamed auctions to raise money for charity. Each episode sees two rivals given one hour and up to £100 to buy a maximum of 10 items, including one they must transform. They then auction the items, and whoever makes the most money sees it go to the charity of their choice.

The 12-part series runs in 30-minute episodes and was filmed in towns across the UK, including six in Wales. Page, 49, who is from Swansea, told The One Show she joined in herself during filming, upcycling a vase she bought for about £2. "I realised not only could I talk a lot, but I can do quite a bit of artwork," she said.

"I upcycled a vase I got for about £2, and on the auction I was drawing on it and doing things. The money went up, up and up." She added: "You really start bonding with the whole online auction community." Appearing alongside her, The Hobbit star Martin Freeman joked: "This is where you discovered you could talk a lot?" auction before the show but was "in her element", describing the experience as "utterly terrifying".

"Before we went 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." She said she has customised and upcycled clothes for years, making the series "right up my street".

Illustrating the creativity on display, she recalled one day when a blue and yellow sleeping bag was upcycled into a puffer jacket, complete with its original zips. Page is best known for playing Stacey Shipman in the hit BBC romantic comedy Gavin and Stacey. Her other TV projects include Joanna Page's Wild Life on BBC Two and Wynne & Joanna: All At Sea on BBC One.