Latest news with #RepairShop
BBC News
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
BBC The Repair Shop's experts restore model village's church
A historic model church that had fallen into disrepair has been restored by experts who work on the BBC's Repair Shop model village, at Spears Cross, Somerset, was created by Llewellyn Pluck 50 years ago and was so popular it even appeared on postcards. Several decades after the miniature village was dismantled, Llewellyn's granddaughter, Sarah Gardner, turned to social media to track down some of the original ten months, she found the model of Culbone Church and then contacted The Repair Shop producers who agreed to restore it. She said: "I don't have any idea what happened to the others. I believe this might be the only one left in a state that could be repaired."The BBC series shows a workshop filled with expert craftspeople who bring loved pieces of family history back to life. Ms Gardner said her granddad "needed a bit of a hobby" while running the guest house."He opened the model village to the general public which they loved. It was a real labour of love over years," Ms Gardner eventually discovered the model church had been kept in an allotment."It had been outside for 50 years so it was in a really bad state," she added. Ms Gardner contacted the Repair Shop about two years ago and they approached her in early April."I put it in the back of my shed and it got to the point that my husband said we need to get rid of it," Ms Gardner said."I couldn't put it out in my garden, it was too badly damaged. And then suddenly I got the call."I don't have any idea what happened to the others. I believe this might be the only one left in a state that could be repaired. If there are any out there, please get in contact."The episode featuring the model church will air on BBC One at 20:00 BST.
Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
The Repair Shop guest breaks down in tears over item 'this is all I've got of my dad'
The Repair Shop guest Emma was left in floods of tears as she was reunited with a puppet that her father had given her before he died A guest on The Repair Shop was left in tears after being reunited with the final gift her late father ever presented to her. During the opening of the BBC One programme, which featured its Favourite Fixes, the specialists discovered that visitor Emma had brought along a puppet her dad had given her back in the 1970s when she was merely eight-years-old. Emma revealed about the toy, which she named Billy Willy: "He was a present from my dad. My dad got cancer so my nan thought it would be good for him to go to Scotland to a health farm. He was gone probably a couple of months, which is a long time when you're eight. "I remember he phoned us and said what did we want as a present when he came back. In the 70s, puppets were all the rage! I just asked for a puppet and I got Billy Willy!". "I was absolutely thrilled with him. It was the last thing that my dad gave me because he died soon after. We don't have many photographs of dad so this is all I've got of my dad. I've got nothing else. "That's why he's so special. I don't think I ever really went anywhere without him!", reports Edinburgh Live. Emma confessed that her children "absolutely hate" the puppet because they find it frightening due to the crack across its face and damaged leg, which explained why it needed restoration at the workshop. The visitor continued: "I think he'd be over the moon to know that Billy Willy was getting a second chance. And hopefully, you know, grandchildren that he'll never see will get to play with him." In a heartfelt VT, she added: "It's difficult to understand what happens when you lose a parent and you take it with you all through your life. It's always there!". Later on, an emotional scene unfolded as Emma was tearfully reunited with her cherished Billy Willy, having been restored to his former glory. Emma, who confessed to never having been separated from him before, expressed her excitement about the reveal. Overwhelmed with emotion upon the return of Billy Willy, Emma burst into tears, exclaiming: "Oh my God! That's amazing! He looks like when he was new! Oh my God, you [the experts] are amazing! He's still the same, oh it's lush, that is so good! He's brilliant, thank you!". Reflecting further in a video message, she said: "I think it would mean so much to my dad, maybe when dad bought this for me, he knew that I needed something that was going to make me smile. It definitely makes me smile and cry." The Repair Shop is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Daily Mirror
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Jay Blades 'just weeks away from starring in new reality TV show' before arrest
Former BBC Repair Shop host Jay Blades is said to have signed up to a brand new ITV reality show but was dropped when news of his arrest emerged weeks before filming started Axed BBC star Jay Blades was reportedly set to appear on a brand new reality TV show before his arrest came to light. The former Repair Shop host pleaded not guilty following being charged with engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour towards his estranged wife last year. Blades, who rose to fame on the hit BBC show, was arrested on May 3. It was the same day his wife Lisa Zbozen publicly announced her split from the presenter after 18 months of marriage. He was said to have signed up to new ITV show Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters before his arrest. However, the show was reportedly thrown into chaos after allegations emerged with bosses taking swift action to remove Blades. 'Attracting a popular BBC star to be in the new ITV series was a big win for bosses," a source told the Sun. 'But as soon as Jay Blades was arrested in March 2024, they knew they had to make a quick decision about the future of the show. 'He was given the boot. Producers got lucky as they hadn't started filming or doing any promotion yet so were able to replace him with someone else." They added travel plans had been put in place for those taking part, so his exit caused "upset and disruption" behind the scenes. Blades became a household name when he began hosting The Repair Shop in 2017 when the show first aired on BBC Two. In October 2022 the dad-of-three was the lead presenter for a special edition of the BBC series featuring the newly crowned King Charles. He then worked on a 15-part restoration series with Only Fools and Horses star Sir David Jason. David and Jay's Touring Toolshed aired at the start of last year and was a hit with viewers. However, recent episodes were pulled from the BBC schedule and catch-up programmes. Blades was due to head to the Bahamas alongside the likes of Sir Lenny Henry and Call the Midwife 's Helen George to overcome their fear of sharks in the ground-breaking new show premiering this week. Ross Noble, Countdown's Rachel Riley, McFly's Dougie Poynter, Amandaland's Lucy Punch and TV presenter Ade Adepitan also took part in the series that marks 50 years since the release of iconic film Jaws. They were taught to dive by an instructor with missing limbs and challenged to confront their greatest fear and flown to the island on Bimini in the Bahamas, home to around 10 different species of shark. Weeks after the series was announced, Blades was arrested and charged. He appeared at Worcester Crown Court in October where he spoke to confirm his identity and entered his not guilty plea. The trial begins on August 26 and is expected to last two weeks. The Mirror has contacted ITV for comment.
Scottish Sun
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Axed TV host Jay Blades was weeks away from starring on new reality series before domestic violence arrest
Blades is accused of causing wife Lisa to fear violence would be used against her on at least two occasions BLADES DROPPED Axed TV host Jay Blades was weeks away from starring on new reality series before domestic violence arrest TV HOST Jay Blades was weeks from starring on a daring new reality TV series when blindsided bosses axed him over his domestic violence arrest. The Repair Shop presenter, 55, was preparing to star in ITV's Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters, which starts tonight. Advertisement 1 Jay Blades was weeks from starring on a daring new reality TV series when blindsided bosses axed him over his domestic violence arrest Credit: PA But the show was thrown into chaos after allegations of controlling and coercive behaviour against his wife Lisa Zbozen, which he denies. A TV insider told The Sun: 'Attracting a popular BBC star to be in the new ITV series was a big win for bosses. 'But as soon as Jay Blades was arrested in March 2024, they knew they had to make a quick decision about the future of the show. 'He was given the boot. Advertisement 'Producers got lucky as they hadn't started filming or doing any promotion yet so were able to replace him with someone else. 'There were travel plans in place for the cast taking part in the show so it caused a lot of upset and disruption behind the scenes.' Blades is accused of causing Lisa, 43, to fear violence would be used against her on at least two occasions. He pleaded not guilty at Worcester crown court to controlling or coercive behaviour towards his estranged wife. Advertisement The trial begins on August 26.
Edinburgh Live
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
BBC Repair Shop guest stunned as she's emotionally reunited with 'mad' childhood toy
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info 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.
