The BBC aired the much-anticipated 2024 Christmas special of The Repair Shop on Wednesday, December 17. While the show is known for its heartwarming restoration stories, this year’s episode took an unexpectedly chaotic turn.
The episode featured two enormous fibreglass puffins that had long welcomed children to a local bookshop. These beloved decorative birds were brought to the iconic barn for restoration by The Repair Shop’s trusted experts Dominic Chinea and Brenton West, tasked with refurbishing them to enchant visitors once more.
Simultaneously, Will Kirk, Steve Fletcher, and Mark Stuckey collaborated on reviving a charming miniature Christmas village, weaving festive magic into the repairs.
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As the emotional restorations progressed, chaos erupted when a group of excited children, invited to admire the restored puffins, spontaneously launched into a snowball fight with the presenters. The playful skirmish began when Dominic cheekily tossed a snowball at Brenton’s head, eliciting gasps and laughter from the youngsters.
Amanda Middleditch, known affectionately as one of the Teddy Bear Ladies, rallied the children with a spirited call: “Come on, kids, let’s get them.” Soon, Dominic found himself dodging a flurry of snowballs as children took aim, seeking playful revenge behind the shelter of the puffins.
Interestingly, Amanda chose to step away from the frolic, retreating swiftly into the barn’s refuge—a moment captured on camera amid the wintery chaos.
Elsewhere in the episode, Suzie Fletcher dedicated her skills to restoring a donkey’s saddle, a precious family heirloom passed down through four generations of farmers. The saddle once accompanied its owner, who began riding as a child, on joyful rides into town to deliver presents—a touching narrative of tradition and community.
Looking ahead, anticipation builds for The Repair Shop’s 2025 Christmas special, set to air on Boxing Day at 7:30 pm on BBC One. The barn will welcome special guests Helen Mirren, Julia Donaldson, and Rob Brydon, each bringing sentimental items in need of expert care.
For those wishing to revisit the touching and lively moments, The Repair Shop Christmas special is also available for streaming on BBC iPlayer.