Get ready to feel the Christmas spirit! The Repair Shop is back with a festive special, promising a heartwarming dose of holiday magic. This year, the experts are welcoming some very special guests, and the projects they’re tackling are sure to tug at your heartstrings.
This Christmas, the barn doors swing open for the likes of Dame Helen Mirren, Julia Donaldson, and Rob Brydon. These celebrities are entrusting the team with restoring cherished items, all in the spirit of Christmas.
Among the heartwarming projects, the team will be working on a life-size mechanical Rudolph belonging to the Leicestershire Fire Service. This festive figure has brought joy for decades, but is in need of some serious TLC. They’ll also be restoring an 80-year-old sledge from Northern Ireland, a family heirloom that’s seen generations of snowy adventures. And for the bookworms, a dilapidated carol book, central to a local tradition in Sheffield, will be getting a new lease on life.
Dame Helen Mirren is bringing in a treasured cello dating back to the Second World War. The cello belongs to Denville Hall, a care home for entertainment industry veterans. The cello was a gift to the home by theatre director Martin Landau. But here’s where it gets controversial… The cello was damaged by the Nazis before he could escape Germany. It hasn’t been played in over 80 years. The care home hopes to restore it so it can be played with their piano, bringing the residents together through music.
Dame Helen shared, “Denville Hall is a very special place and we’ve long talked about repairing Martin’s cello. As you can imagine to be able to restore the voice of his prized possession and hear it play once more’ will be the greatest Christmas gift for the community at Denville Hall.”
Also joining the festive fun is Julia Donaldson, author of the upcoming BBC animated special, The Scarecrows Wedding, alongside actor Rob Brydon. They’re seeking repairs for a toy farmhouse given to Julia by her granny. This farmhouse holds a special place in her heart, sparking childhood memories and inspiring her books. Furniture Restorer Will Kirk and ceramics expert Kirsten Ramsay will be working their magic to restore the farm. Julia plans to gift the farmhouse to Chestnut Tree House, a children’s hospice she supports.
Julia said: “Bringing stories alive through play is such a special part of childhood. My sister and I spent many happy hours making up stories around the farmyard and the thought of having it restored and shared and enjoyed once again with many more children means a lot to me. I am very grateful to Will and Kirsten and Rob and I can’t wait to see how it turns out.”
Joanna Ball, Managing Director at Ricochet, expressed her excitement, saying, “It’s a real honour to be part of the BBC’s Christmas schedule and bring some Repair Shop magic to the festive season. With fixes for Dame Helen Mirren and Denville Hall, Julia Donaldson, Rob Brydon and Chestnut Tree House Hospice and the Fire Service of Leicester this year has been very special.”
Julie Shaw, Commissioning Editor for BBC Factual, adds that the Christmas special is “guaranteed to be magical. Full of warmth that audiences have come to know and love from The Repair Shop experts, it’s a real treat for audiences to sit back, relax and enjoy, and maybe even shed a tear or two this Christmas.”
The one-hour special was commissioned for BBC One and iPlayer by Julie Shaw and Catherine Catton, Senior Head of Commissioning, Factual Entertainment and Events. The Executive Producers for Ricochet are Emma Walsh, Sandy Watson, and Hannah Lamb, and the series producer is Shane Normoyle.
And this is the part most people miss… The Repair Shop isn’t just about fixing objects; it’s about preserving memories and honoring the stories behind them. What do you think about the emotional impact of restoring these items? Do you have a family heirloom you’d love to see restored? Share your thoughts in the comments below!