The Repair Shop shake-up as new expert joins series after string of stars ‘disappeared’ from show with no explanation
THE Repair Shop has undergone a shake-up as a new expert joins the series after a string of stars 'disappeared' from the show with no explanation.
The BBC show will be back on our screens before you know it, with Jay Blades once again presiding over the important restoration projects.
However, he will be joined by a new expert - Rebecca Bissonnet - who specialises in textiles.
Rebecca has an impressive C.V, having once repaired Queen Elizabeth's coronation dress.
She will be on hand to help with clothing repairs on The Repair Shop, but admits she almost missed out on the chance to be part of the show.
She said: "The Repair Shop rang me as they were looking for a textiles expert.
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"They had found my details through my website and I actually missed the call because I had just popped next door to the village shop to buy cherry cake!"
Thankfully, she was able to get back in touch with them and join the show's team.
Explaining what viewers can expect, she added: "Some of the stuff brought in would be so expensive to fix, as it’s so time heavy.
"So we’re helping restore, repair and conserve items, giving conservation to people that may not necessarily have the resources to have them restored themselves and it means they’ll now be future-proofed and be around for years to come."
While Rebecca has joined the programme, Repair Shop fans were previously concerned some familiar faces had "disappeared" from the show without explanation.
Last month, star Brenton West posted a picture of The Repair Shop cast as they prepare to return to the BBC’s iconic barn.
However, there were several experts missing from the reunion picture, including Steve Fletcher.
“The team are back together filming a new series,” Brenton shared alongside the photo.
But fans were left seriously concerned when they noticed clock and watch expert Steve was missing from Brenton’s photo - especially as his sister Suzie was present.
Kirsten, Will, Dom, and Jay can also be seen smiling in the photo, but Lucia, Amanda, Julie, Sonnaz, and Steve were nowhere to be seen.
Thankfully, Steve later confirmed that while he wasn't in the photo, he will be back on the show when the new series returns.
Who are the main experts on The Repair Shop and what do they do?
The Repair Shop fans will recognise these familiar faces:
- Jay Blades, furniture restorer and host
- Brenton West, silversmith and antique photography specialist
- Lucia Scalisi, painting conservatorKirsten Ramsay, Sussex-based ceramics conservator
- Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell, soft toy restorers, known as the "Bear Ladies"
- Sonnaz Nooranvary, upholstery restorer
- Suzie Fletcher, leather worker, saddle maker
- Steve Fletcher (brother of Suzie), clock restorer
- Will Kirk, carpenter, wood painter and cabinet-maker
- Dom Chinea, metal worker and signs restorer
The Repair Shop airs on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer.