BBC The Repair Shop expert sadly admits defeat over ‘pointless’ historical repair: ‘Severe problem’

The Repair Shop expert Amanda Middleditch admitted she thought that part of a repair was “pointless” just minutes after receiving the item.

Juliet King-Smith entered the barn – during a recent episode which looked at some of the favourite repairs – with the hopes that Middleditch and colleague Julie Tatchell would be able to restore her father’s childhood toy rabbit, Wilfred.

Explaining the history behind the rabbit, King-Smith began: “I have got Wilfred the very old rabbit who is rather a bad state.

“These are some badges that my father, the children’s writer Dick King-Smith, stuck on Wilfred. Babe and plenty of others. He was very prolific and has something like 140 titles to his name.

“And we think Wilfred was given to him when he was an infant, so I think Wilfred must be 100 years old, if not getting on for 100.

“When he became an established children’s writer, Wildred was suspended in his study next to where he worked. Wilfred was there the whole time until my father died.

“If Wilfred could be restored to his former glory that would be really significant and make everybody really happy. Give him a complete makeover if you can!

“Stuff the stuffing back or replace it, as you see his tail is partially detached, replace the eye if you could!”

Tatchell and Middleditch were eager to get the restoration started but came to a hurdle just by looking at Wilfred – leaving Middleditch to throw in the towel.

When asked by Tatchell how she was feeling, Middleditch brutally admitted: “From here up he is not too bad, his most severe problems are here.

“I mean, everything below the hips needs attention. I think it’s pointless trying to repair this. We’ve got nothing to stitch to, even if we back it.”

Wanting to do everything they could to help, Tatchell suggested: “What about replacing the outer portion of his legs?

“Line the rest. I’d like to think that he might have a fluffy tail again. Love to see him with some new eyes, it’s a lot of work. An awful lot of work.”

The ladies began to wash and stuff the rabbit which was given to King-Smith’s father back in the 1920’s.

After recasting his legs and tail, Middleditch joyfully revealed: “I have found a pair of vintage eyes. They are of the era and the look of the era. We have found a pair of what he exactly would have had.”

It was soon time for King-Smith to return to the barn to see Wilfred for the first time, which left her to gasp: “Aw! Oh, look, his eyes are glistening!

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“Wilfred my dear, he is looking gorgeous, but not too tarted up which I hoped you wouldn’t do.”

Middleditch pointed out: “The nose that was on him, when we got inside, we found that his original nose was this reddy-brown colour.

“You’re actually seeing him how your father would have seen him with that colour nose and those eyes. Before you go, we have got a little something else.

“We’ve made him a sash, so we think he looks rather grand and these you can pin on in whichever order you would like. Enjoy him.”