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The Repair Shop viewers were left moved by the heart-wrenching story of a guest’s beloved stuffed animal.
Dominic Chinea took on an incredibly poignant project in the latest episode of spin-off series The Repair Shop: On The Road.
A guest named Robert brought along his cherished stuffed toy Wappy, hoping the team could restore it.
Robert has had Wappy since being born six weeks prematurely in 1974 – with the toy facing wear and tear after five decades.
Accompanied by his sister Chris, she explained to Dominic: ‘Robert was born in a special baby unit. But at that same time, Ninewells Hospital, the teaching hospital in Dundee opened.
‘And so Robert was the very first baby in Ninewells in the special baby care unit.’
The Repair Shop viewers were very moved by guest Robert’s poignant story of his beloved stuffed toy Wappy
Robert has had Wappy since being born six weeks premature back in 1974 – and the cuddly lamb has a special place in his life
Experts Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch – known as the Teddy Bear Ladies – got to work restoring Wappy
Robert said: ‘I was born six weeks premature and there must have been some nurse that brought Wappy to me, to look after me.’
Chris then admitted these had been ‘really dark times’, adding: ‘We nearly lost Robert.’
She continued: ‘He had loads and loads of operations up until he was about eight. So, he’s a miracle really. And all the while, he’s had his wee pal Wappy.’
Meanwhile, Robert said of his lifelong pal: ‘He sleeps with me every night. And he’s looked after me ever since then.’
Dominic brought Wappy to the barn, where Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch – known as the Teddy Bear Ladies – got to work patching up the cuddly lamb.
In doing so, the duo had to wash Wappy and take him apart, before fixing his nose and replacing some of the fabric.
Robert was reunited with Wappy later on in the episode and looked visibly thrilled about the transformation.
He said: ‘Good to see you again,’ while cuddling the beloved toy.
Towards the end of the episode, Robert was thrilled to be reunited with Wappy looking better than ever
Taking to X, one viewer penned: ‘Omg the way Robbie is looking at and touching Wappy is too much for my heart.’
Another added: ‘This made me cry it was so sweet.’
A third said: ‘Brought me to tears.’
While a fourth chimed in: ‘Bless them both.’
Elsewhere, an expert on The Repair Shop announced the heartbreaking death of a ‘wonderful’ BBC star.
Art conservator Lucia Scalisi paid tribute to Maria Kirk, who appeared on the show back in March 2023, on her Instagram account earlier this week.
Maria brought in a very special painting that survived a Second World War labour camp as part of the first episode of the 12th series, and Lucia managed to bring it back to life.
Meanwhile, Lucia took to social media to pay tribute to Maria and her ‘lasting legacy’ after learning that she had passed away.
She said: ‘It is with sadness I learned today that the wonderful Maria Kirk passed last night. You may remember the painting she brought into @therepairshoptv and her story.
‘Her grandmother with her two daughters – one was to become Maria’s mum – took it from their family Church in Ukraine during the war.
‘The women ran the gauntlet of both Russian and German enemy, captured and sent to work camps. The painting was hidden inside her gran’s coat.
‘It was Maria’s wish to get the painting back to the village where the exact space on the Church wall awaits – as do her family.
‘To this end Maria worked tirelessly spreading the word through exhibitions and talks in schools and community centres and at London’s @artinthecity @painterstainers.
‘Let us hope peace prevails to this end, it will be Maria’s lasting legacy.’
The Repair Shop: On The Road airs on BBC One and iPlayer.