The Repair Shop fans were left reaching for the tissues following a segment that was described as ‘heartbreaking’ due to its tragic backstory. In a recent instalment of the popular BBC programme, viewers met Camilla Greenwood, who visited with a fire-damaged teddy bear, hoping for restoration.
The stuffed animal held great significance for Camilla; she shared with restorers Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell that it was a cherished possession of her late mother Linda, who tragically perished in a house fire.
Emotionally pulling out the bear from a brown bag, Camilla said: “I brought in a very sad looking bear of my mum’s. He’s seen better days hasn’t he.”
Amanda queried: “He certainly has. Tell us about your bear,” to which Camilla disclosed: “He was given to my mum when she was little and he was with her throughout her childhood.”
Expanding on its history, she said: “Then when I came along, he was always kept in my room and he has sort of both in my life.”
While remembering her mother, she added: “It has always just been me and my mum since I was six months old and she was a very special woman.” Upon hearing the story, Julie remarked: “You said was.”
This prompted Camilla to reveal, through tears: “My mum died last year. There was a fire at her house that destroyed the house and my mum didn’t get out.”
Expressing her sympathy, an affected Julie replied: “Oh Camila I’m so sorry.” However, amidst the sadness, Camila noted: “It’s remarkable that the bear survived.”
Overcome with emotion, Camilla confessed: “It’s important for me to try and rescue at least something from all of our memories that we built together.”
Amanda and Julie applied their skills with care, rejuvenating the teddy bear as Camilla awaited the transformation at The Repair Shop barn eagerly, reports the Express. She was visibly overcome with emotion upon seeing her cherished stuffed animal restored, a reaction that resonated with viewers as well.
One empathetic viewer took to Twitter commenting: “OMG! This teddy bear story on #TheRepairShop is heartbreaking!” while another shared their sentiment: “Amazing the bear survived but so sad her mum didn’t make it. Really sad, this is gonna be the teary item of the episode.”
Another chimed in, remarking on the courage of the young lady who brought in the bear and noting: “My goodness, how brave was the young lady with the bear? The rest of us, meanwhile, are in bits. Joyous television.”