BBC Repair Shop guest stunned as she's emotionally reunited with 'mad' childhood toy

Edinburgh Live

13-07-2025

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A guest on The Repair Shop was left exclaiming 'oh my God' as she saw a cherished toy from her childhood restored.
In a repeat episode of the BBC One show aired last night (Sunday 13), Vanessa brought in her beloved toy lion, Leo, which she'd had since she was a child.
The enormous toy needed some TLC after years of play and was entrusted to The Repair Shop experts Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell, also known as The Teddy Bear Ladies.
"He came from a department store, my mum wanted to buy me a tortoise to climb over, I was probably eight months to a year old, and she went into a shop with my nan and just fell in love with this lion," Vanessa explained.
She went on: "She didn't realise the size of it so she then tried to fit him in a Austin 11, I think my mum had to climb in the back holding on to him and they couldn't put the boot down or anything like that."
(Image: BBC)
Vanessa recalled the "fits of giggles" that occurred every time her grandmother and mother retold the story.
"The shock for my dad and grandad was that the price was my dad's weekly wage," Vanessa added, shocking the experts.
Vanessa then shared her fond memories of her childhood with Leo, climbing on him and cuddling him, before he was passed down to her own children.
She sadly revealed that she lost her "loving" and "special" mum ten years ago, and Leo became a symbol of the love she shared with her.
(Image: BBC)
"My mum was my best friend, and I realised I didn't have any recent photos with her just on my own... but I feel that Leo is my photo," she said.
Over the years, Leo had lost fur in certain areas, with matted fabric and had sunk down.
When asked what her mum would think of her bringing Leo to The Repair Shop, Vanessa replied: "She'd be laughing, and knowing that story got out there that her mad purchase has bought so much happiness and so much love, we've loved him, my kids have loved him, and hopefully a next generation will love him."
After they were able to work their magic and restore Leo with new stuffing and fabric, Vanessa was left delighted.
(Image: BBC)
"It was really weird, when I left Leo here it was like leaving a best friend in a sense," she said. "I can't describe it, I didn't expect to get those feelings at all."
Upon seeing him, she said: "Oh my God! His hair! He's so big, I remember holding him like this. It's like how I remember holding him when I was little, he looks brand new!"
"My mum would have been so pleased to have seen that," she emotionally added.
"You've provided a legacy for hopefully I might get grandchildren and I can have the same photo of my grandchild next to Leo."
The Repair Shop is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.