BBC’s The Repair Shop Christmas special featured the likes of Dame Helen Mirren, Julia Donaldson and Rob Brydon.

On Friday evening, BBC viewers were delighted by a festive edition of The Repair Shop.

The latest Christmas instalment of the cherished BBC programme welcomed some recognisable personalities to the workshop seeking restoration services for their treasured belongings.

Distinguished guests including Dame Helen Mirren, Julia Donaldson and Rob Brydon turned to the specialists to revive their precious items to their original splendour.

The Oscar-winning actress sought assistance for a cherished Second World War-era cello belonging to Denville Hall, a residential facility for entertainment industry professionals.

Meanwhile, Julia and Rob enlisted the team’s expertise to restore a miniature farmhouse that the children’s author had inherited from her grandmother, reports Gloucestershire Live.

An old wooden sleigh

The sleigh was given to Ian when he was a young boy (Image: BBC)

During the programme, viewers witnessed Ian and Kate McKenzie arrive with their daughter April, bringing along a treasured sledge of great sentimental value.

Specialist Dominic Chinea declared it ‘incredible’ upon first sight, as Ian revealed to the BBC presenter that he’d owned it for six decades, though it was already 40 years old when he acquired it – making the piece nearly 100 years old.

He elaborated: “It’s called a Flexible Flyer; this particular one was made in 1928 and only made this version for one year, so it’s quite a rare one.”

A childhood gift from his brother, Ian recounted receiving it during the year of the Big Freeze, which provided ample opportunity for use. However, the sleigh has seen its fair share of mishaps over the years due to frequent use.

Dominic Chinea

Dominic ran into a slight problem during the Christmas episode of The Repair Shop (Image: BBC)

Ian revealed that their nine children and 14 grandchildren have all had a ride on it.

He expressed his desire to see the sleigh restored to its former glory from his childhood memories, presenting a challenge for the experts.

Dom encountered a snag during the restoration process. Addressing the camera, he disclosed: “It’s not good news, unfortunately. These two bars that run to the front of the rails, they are both completely different shapes. They’re supposed to be the same.

“I’ve clamped the two runners together, and even these are completely different shapes. The ends are way off. I think all these years of Ian being such a daredevil have taken their toll on this sledge.

 

A man holding back tears with his hand over his mouth

The guest was overcome with emotion when he saw his sleigh again (Image: BBC)

“It’s bent and twisted things, I need to straighten everything out and get it back where it should be, because I’ve got lots of holes which need to line up.”

Despite the setback, Dom managed to triumph over the obstacle and presented Ian with the refurbished sleigh. Upon seeing it for the first time, Ian was visibly moved and couldn’t help but shed tears of joy.

He expressed his gratitude to the experts: “That’s the way it was! I have to try it. Oh, brilliant, I’m over the moon. I just wish I was a kid again! This is great, better job than I done.”

The Repair Shop is available to eatch on BBC iPlayer.