The Repair Shop Catch up, At Christmas 2023 on BBC 2

The Repair Shop

At Christmas 2023

It’s Christmas at The Repair Shop, and the team face four festive fixes.\n\nArriving first is Steve from Chesterfield, whose has brought a very deceptive Christmas treat. The unassuming Christmas cake is not actually a baked dessert, but a mechanical marvel created by Steven’s uncle Fred in the 1940s. Fred, who had an engineering background, loved to entertain, and this cake was an annual highlight for the whole family. Steve recalls the gadget as being like nothing he’d ever seen before or since, but it’s been a long time since the mechanism has entertained a Christmas party. Steve is hoping that the barn’s mechanical maestro, Steve Fletcher, can rescue the wreckage, but to do so, he's is going to need a helping hand from electronics whizz Mark Stuckey and ceramic expert Kirsten Ramsay.\n\nAlso on Mark Stuckey’s job list is the restoration of a record player that holds important memories for Jo Thomas from Wales. Jo hopes that Mark can put a halt to further deterioration of this sentimental piece of equipment that was gifted to her by her late son, Ben, who tragically passed away in 2006 aged just 11. Ben was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, shortly after his 10th birthday, but his illness never dampened his zest for life. As his last Christmas neared, Ben, who shared a love of music with his mum, went shopping and bought her this record player using his own money. The player has been out of service for a number of years now, and Jo longs to hear it again. With arthritis making it difficult for Jo to bend down, she’d like the unit to be placed on legs so that she can operate it more easily.\n\nNext to arrive are mother and daughter Sheila and Denise from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, who have brought a pair of unique paper models of Santa Claus dating back over 100 years. The Santas have been owned by three generations of Sheila’s family, and hold fond memories for Sheila and Denise. But these treasured family heirlooms are now beginning to show their age. Paper restorer Angelina Bakalarou is determined to return them back to their once jolly appearance.\n\nThe final restoration falls to little drummer boy Pete Woods, who’s faced with repairing a steel-pan drum brought in by Mark from Brighton. Presenting the drum, Mark explains that his father, Ralph Cherrie, a celebrated steel pan player, picked it up in 1976 when the family made a big Christmas trip to Trinidad, his country of birth. Mark has vivid memories of this special trip with his dad, and it was also the start of his own journey as a musician.\n\nPete has the challenging task of getting this drum back in top working order. To complete his mission, Pete enlists the help of metalwork expert Dominic Chinea to restore the exterior of the drum, and leatherwork supremo Suzie Fletcher to create a new strap so that Mark can wear the drum around his neck.

Source: BBC 2

Most recent episodes of The Repair Shop

The Repair Shop

Series 14: Episode 20

Four more treasured items arrive at the barn, each with emotional and historical weight, and all requiring careful restoration.\n\nFirst through the doors are Thomas and his gra ...

16-09-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Series 14: Episode 19

The team take on four more remarkable restorations steeped in personal history and cultural heritage.\n\nFirst through the barn doors is Ruth from Nottinghamshire, carrying a we ...

09-09-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Series 14: Episode 23

The team of expert craftspeople welcome the owners of four more cherished heirlooms steeped in personal history and emotional significance.\n\nFirst through the barn doors is a ...

02-09-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Series 14: Episode 18

Four more cherished items arrive at the barn, each carrying deep personal and historical significance, and all in need of expert restoration.\n\nFirst through the doors are a pa ...

02-09-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Series 14: Episode 22

The team of expert craftspeople welcome four more cherished heirlooms steeped in personal history and emotional significance.\n\nFirst into the barn is a pair of cowboy boots br ...

26-08-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Series 14: Episode 21

The team take on four unique items, each carrying deep emotional weight and powerful personal stories.\n\nFirst through the barn doors is a giant plush hound dog, gifted to the ...

19-08-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Favourite Fixes: Episode 6

First through the workshop doors are Alex and his son Flynn, with a cuddly keepsake that’s provided comfort and security for both father and son. Named Lamb Chop, the stuf ...

22-07-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Favourite Fixes: Episode 4

Over the years, the team are often thrown a curve ball in the shape of weird and wonderful items they have never encountered before. One thing they’ve learned is that fami ...

13-07-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Favourite Fixes: Episode 3

First through the workshop doors is Vanessa with a World War II memento for the attention of toy restorers Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch. Vanessa’s mother joined t ...

09-07-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Favourite Fixes: Episode 1

First through the workshop doors is Minty Barlow, with a miniature house from her childhood. It was originally part of a model village tourist attraction in her hometown of Clee ...

03-07-2025

BBC 2

All episodes