In the latest episode of BBC’s The Repair Shop, expert restorer Will Kirk was left truly amazed after a guest brought in a guitar with a remarkable connection to Beatles legend Ringo Starr.
Gary Miles from North Wales arrived with his cherished electric guitar, sharing the touching story behind it. Describing it as his very first electric guitar, Gary explained how his father, Eddie Miles, purchased it for him when he was just 14 years old.
Gary recalled fond memories of his father, a musician from Liverpool who owned a prestigious Les Paul Custom guitar. “My dad was a musician in Liverpool, and he had the real deal, the proper Les Paul Custom. That was very expensive, if it was out, I’d pick it up. He’d always say ‘Careful’ and I used to play it quite a bit,” Gary said.
READ MORE: Gloucestershire Approves Rollout of 20mph Speed Limits in Supported Communities
READ MORE: The Repair Shop Experts Confirm New Series Filming with Exciting Update
But the tale took an extraordinary turn when Gary revealed his father’s musical past. Eddie Miles performed in the late 1950s as part of the Eddie Clayton Skiffle Group — a band that included none other than Ringo Starr on drums. “They played together for about four, five years,” Gary explained.
Further deepening the connection, Gary pointed out a special tribute on Mathew Street, Liverpool—the famous location of The Cavern Club. Along the wall, the names of legendary bands such as The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton are immortalized, alongside his father’s band.
Gary had brought the guitar in for repairs because its electrics were faulty and a piece of wood was missing. His hope was to restore the instrument not only to its former glory but also to pass it on to his son. “It would be amazing to watch Ev play it. If I can pass that to him, it’s like, well, I know you never met grandad, but this is what I got from grandad,” he shared emotionally.
Will Kirk and Julyan Wallis undertook the delicate work of restoring the electric guitar. The transformation left Gary visibly moved — wiping away tears as he saw the guitar restored to its former beauty. “Wow, that’s just how I imagined it. It looks brilliant, thank you,” he said.
Before leaving, Gary gave the guitar a quick strum, already eager to teach his son the instrument’s legacy.
The Repair Shop continues to captivate viewers with stories of treasured family heirlooms and their restoration journeys.