The Repair Shop viewers have same complaint about new series

Some fans said they want to spend more time watching the experts mend things

Jay Blades says The Repair Shop has changed his life. (BBC)
Jay Blades stars in The Repair Shop. (BBC)
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What did you miss?

The Repair Shop has returned for a new series and while viewers are thrilled, some had one complaint after it got under way, pleading: “Less chat, more fixing please!”

The BBC series starring Jay Blades sees experts restoring precious family heirlooms. It has been a huge hit since it started in 2017 and fans flocked to X to express their delight as it aired on Wednesday (April 10).

However, some said they felt too much time was being spent on the stories behind the items that were being taken to the barn for repair.

What, how and why?

The first repair job to be featured was a little pair of children’s cowboy boots, which late musician Roger Pope had bought for his beloved nephew from the US many years ago. Many viewers were touched as Pope’s sister told how he’d been in a band called Hookfoot and had toured with greats like Sir Elton John, who paid tribute to the drummer on stage after he died of cancer in 2013.

Viewers were moved by the story behind the cowboy boots. (BBC screengrab)
Viewers were moved by the story behind the cowboy boots. (BBC screengrab)

Fans were also moved as a man took in an instrument named a saz, which he said “helped me” when he had to do military service in Cyprus when he was young.

However, there were also those who said they would prefer more time was spent watching the experts fix things.

What did The Repair Shop viewers say?

Elton John paid tribute to Roger Pope on stage when he died. (BBC screengrab)
Elton John paid tribute to Roger Pope on stage when he died. (BBC screengrab)

“Christ, there's a lot of talking in this episode, is this The Talking Shop or The Repair Shop?” one person posted on X. “Can't we just see them fixing things?? That's the most interesting part.”

“The Repair Shop has turned into a talking shop,” quipped someone else. Another viewer posted: “It is nice to hear some of the history of the items, but bloody hell they do string it out. We want to watch the experts do their thing!”

“Less chat, more fixing please!” said another fan. Somebody else moaned: “10 minutes in and no work done yet.”

One person noted that the stories were “getting longer”, as another fan remarked: “Ye gods, so much backstory. Just fix something.”

One man took in an instrument called a saz. (BBC screengrab)
One man took in an instrument called a saz. (BBC screengrab)

However, as the experts got down to mending, viewers were as entranced as ever. One called it a “TV highlight” and another posted: “A very warm welcome back The Repair Shop.

"Story behind those sweet little cowboy boots is beautiful. I didn’t get a lump in my throat when we heard Elton John had paid tribute to his dear musician friend by singing Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me. Who am I kidding? Lovely.”

Read more: The Repair Shop

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