The Repair Shop Catch up, Series 13: Episode 16 on BBC 2

The Repair Shop

Series 13: Episode 16

First through the barn doors is broadcaster Sally Magnusson, who is hoping furniture restorer Sonnaz Nooranvary can help safe a precious memento from her late father – the original Mastermind chair that was featured in every programme for Mastermind’s first 25 years under the chairmanship of her father Magnus Magnusson. It was given to him in 1997 when he retired from hosting the icon quiz show. It’s lived in Sally’s house since her dad’s death in 2007 and is looking the worse for wear. For Sally, it’s much more than a telly prop – it reminds her of an era when she was growing up, her dad was making the programme and he suddenly became a celebrity.\n\nAs Sonnaz gets to work on the iconic prop, she discovers the areas that need immediate attention are on the arms. The leather has slowly worn over time. And at the base, there's some really heavy creasing where nervous contestants once sat. She needs to line the leather to give it some extra strength. Over the years, the padding on the inside has really compressed down, and that needs to be brought back to life again. Unexpected structural damage in the arms means she also needs to call in the help of Dom Chinea.\n\nConducting the next repair is Pete Woods, who tackles an out-of-tune and worn-out glockenspiel that holds deep sentimental value for sisters Mandy Fletcher and Tina Kay from Leeds. The glockenspiel, once belonging to their father Ken Newton, holds a special place in their hearts, as it reminds them of their father's days as a talented percussionist and drummer at the renowned Batley Variety Club. As part of the house band, their father played alongside some of the biggest musical stars of the day, including Louis Armstrong, Jay Orbison and Shirley Bassey. But the years of touring and performing have left the glockenspiel past its peak. So, while Pete focuses on restoring its tone and functionality, colleague Suzie Fletcher lends a hand on the battered case. Together, the talented duo transform the tired instrument into a playable treasure, symbolising the enduring bond between the sisters and their beloved father.\n\nNext in the barn is Jennie Jewitt-Harris from Surrey with a storybook that has its own extraordinary tale to tell. A children’s book given to her dad Tony in 1943 on his eighth birthday, which still has the inscription inside the cover wishing him a happy birthday. Just 12 months later, as World War II raged on, the book that entertained him would also save his life. In 1944, Jennie’s dad was lying in bed in his home in Chingford when German planes launched a bombing campaign to try and hit the local reservoirs. One bomb ripped the front and the roof off Tony’s family house, and he was found lying with the book on his chest and a big shard of glass sticking out the back of the book. With such an incredible story behind the book, Chris Shaw must proceed cautiously with his repair. There's no spine, and the pages need re-sewing. But since the damage is also part of the book’s story, it's important that he keeps the age and provenance of where the glass pierced it.\n\nLast to arrive are Peter and Laura from Smethwick. The grandfather and granddaughter are hoping that expert woodworker Will Kirk can repair a precious toy that’s been in their family for generations. The wooden toucan mobile was originally given to Laura as a baby and stayed with her until she left home at 18. When Laura gave birth to her own son, Rory, it was immediately decided that the toucan, affectionately known as ‘Mr Toucs’, should go into baby Rory’s room. However, an accident during transport saw Mr Toucs lost on a farm and part of him run over on a nearby A road! Laura and her grandfather Peter can’t bear to be without their beloved mobile and want Will to make a new wing and the cloud that used to hang above the bird to take pride of place in baby Rory’s bedroom. With new component parts to make, Will can see how the bird should go together. But it’s the flapping mechanism that he wants to demonstrate to Peter and Laura when they return to the barn.

Source: BBC 2

Most recent episodes of The Repair Shop

The Repair Shop

Series 15: Episode 3

First into the barn is Gary from Hastings, bringing his father Jimmy’s old butcher’s bike. Built for heavy loads, it was used to carry boxes of meat through Hastings ...

29-10-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Series 15: Episode 1

First into the barn is John from Holywell, with a unique family heirloom – a detailed working model of a Welsh coal mine, built by his grandfather over 100 years ago. The ...

28-10-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Series 14: Episode 6

The early birds at the barn are sisters Lottie and Amy, with a unique record of their childhood, a book given to Lottie as a Christmas present in 1976 when she was three years o ...

23-10-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Series 15: Episode 2

First into the barn is Sara from Crewe, with a remarkable relic of both sporting triumph and personal memory – her father Ronnie Cope’s 1958 FA Cup final shirt, when ...

22-10-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Series 14: Episode 11

First into the barn is Zelda, with her most precious possession, a ring bought by her father on a day out together when she was a teenager. But the ring looks nothing like it or ...

22-10-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Series 14: Episode 8

First through the workshop doors is Bev, bringing a local landmark that has lost its way. The dilapidated village sign from Broome in Norfolk was designed for the millennium by ...

21-10-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Series 14: Episode 25

First into the barn is Alistair Waite, with a fragile cake topper from his parents’ wedding cake, which holds memories of a childhood spent growing up in the circus. The c ...

21-10-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Series 14: Episode 7

Setting bear ladies Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch the first task – with strings attached – Jill Purves and her daughter Vickie, from Biggar in Scotland. Bulb ...

20-10-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Series 14: Episode 10

First through the workshop doors is Ben, with an unusual item needing a joint crusade to get it back on its feet. Silversmith Brenton West, woodworker Will Kirk and leather expe ...

17-10-2025

BBC 2

All episodes

The Repair Shop

Series 14: Episode 9

It's the return of smoke and mirrors from times past as Camilla arrives with a groundbreaking form of Victorian entertainment she’d like to see back in action. Her revolvi ...

16-10-2025

BBC 2

All episodes