The future of Tom Daley's knitting show has been revealed after the first series sparked a fierce 'cultural appropriation' row.  

Game of Wool is the knitting equivalent of the Great British Bake Off - seeing knitters put through stages of challenges to be crowned the star - and it proved itself to be a runaway success with its viewers. 

Presented by former Olympic diver Tom, 31, who is also known for his love of knitting, the show aimed to find the UK's best knitters and encourage other people to take up the hobby too. 

Now it's been renewed for a second season, with Channel 4 revealing that it was one of the most popular programmes for 18 to 32-year-olds broadcast at 8pm - proving that knitting appeals to a bigger demographic than just the elderly. 

Tom said: 'I was blown away by the response to the first series of Game of Wool. Knitting is such a creative and joyful craft and it's been amazing to see so many people inspired to pick up their needles.

'I can't wait for the show to return and to meet a whole new group of brilliant knitters ready to take on the challenge.' 

Channel 4's Commissioning Editor Clemency Green said: 'The first series of Game of Wool was a hit with viewers, particularly with a new generation of young knitters discovering the craft.

'For series two, we're welcoming a fresh group of talented makers ready to take on the challenge.

'We've listened closely to what fans loved most about the first series, so this time there’s an even stronger focus on knitting – celebrating the creativity, skill and innovation at its heart, alongside some exciting new elements in the competition.'

However, while the show has been well received on the whole, it has not been without controversy and it sparked a cultural appropriation row with a Scottish island with fewer than 50 inhabitants.

The portrayal of a world-renowned knitting technique dating back to the 18th century, when wives on Fair Isle would knit colourful garments to keep their fishermen husbands warm at sea, has caused fury among those protecting the heritage of the island it originates.

Shetland's Organisation of Knitters (SOK) has accused Channel 4 producers of 'cultural appropriation' during the first episode of Game of Wool: Britain's Best Knitter. 

The group claim the programme ‘misrepresented’ the artisan skill as 'many of the designs accepted as Fair Isle in the episode are more accurately described as stranded colour work.'

In a scathing online post, it said: 'The over application of the term Fair Isle to refer to any colour work not only muddies the boundaries of this living heritage craft, but it erases the other forms of colour work knitting in the world, which deserve to be named.' 

The group said it had been 'shocked and saddened' by the way the traditional craft had been depicted, claiming the show was riddled with 'clear' errors in terminology and mispronunciations – including calling the island 'the Shetlands.'

It added this was 'especially disheartening from a UK-based show meant to encourage more people to take up knitting.' 

During the episode, ten amateur knitters were given 12 hours to produce a tank top inspired by ‘Fair Isle’ patterns. 

A Channel 4 spokesman said: 'We hold Shetland's knitting culture in the highest regard and the challenge in episode one of Game of Wool: Britain's Best Knitter asked the amateur knitters to reimagine a Fair Isle knit. 

'The contestants were tasked with creating a garment with a modern twist that acknowledged and celebrated the traditions of the beautiful Fair Isle technique. 

'Game of Wool is an entertainment series that is enjoyed by both knitters and non-knitters, and we hope it encourages many to pick up their needles and cast on!'

Following the announcement of the show's second series, applications are now open for any aspiring knitters who think they've got what it takes to weave their way to glory.

The first series of Game of Wool is available to stream on Channel 4.