The Repair Shop has become a fan favorite since it first aired in 2017 under the direction of Jay Blades. The series is known for its touching moments, and viewers aren’t the only ones who are emotionally touched by the sentimental stories surrounding the items brought to the iconic barn.
Suzie Fletcher plays the lead role of a leather worker in the series and has opened up about the behind-the-scenes moments of The Repair Shop, admitting that scenes often have to be edited because she often “loses her composure”.
As a regular participant on the series, Fletcher has repaired many valuable items and heard many of the heartbreaking stories that go along with it.
The 62-year-old explained: “They cut out quite a lot because I lose my composure quite often. Then tears run down my face.”
“I get so easily carried away by other people’s emotions. But I don’t try to hide it anymore because that’s just the way I am – I accept it.”
Speaking to The Sun’s TV magazine, she also spoke about the pressure that comes with the role of restorer on the popular show.
Suzie Fletcher talks about her leading role in “The Repair Shop”
BBC
“We are challenged to achieve the impossible, but we never fail and we will never fail if we knock on wood,” she added.
The restoration expert further admitted that she still gets “very, very nervous” because “every time it’s the first time I work with that person.”
She added that it was “very nerve-wracking waiting to see how they would react to what I did.”
Not only is Fletcher close to tears when he reads about some of the stories surrounding the guests’ contributions, but fans of the show also often admit to crying after certain episodes.
Suzie has been starring in The Repair Shop since its premiere in 2017
BBC
In a classic episode that was recently repeated, viewers were left crying after one of the guests shared a heartbreaking memory with them.
Leigh showed the restoration experts a chair that had seen better days, explaining that he had bought it with his late partner 40 years ago.
Upholsterer restorer Sonnaz Nooranvary was on hand to help restore the chair, and Leigh was soon telling her and host Jay Blades his story.
He described in detail how he met his partner Greg in a bar in Athens in 1983, recalling: “I caught a glimpse of him in the mirror and said he was the most beautiful man I had ever seen… And that was the beginning of a wonderful relationship.”
However, he went on to say that unfortunately, when Greg tried to move to the UK, he encountered numerous visa issues that separated the two.
Suzie Fletcher admitted she sometimes “loses her temper” at The Repair Shop
BBC
Fortunately, he was able to settle in the UK in 1986 and enjoy life with Leigh. “Everything was wonderful. We had a brand new life and a brand new apartment together and this was the first piece of furniture we put together to build our home,” he said.
The couple were devastated when Greg found out he was HIV positive just six months later. Tragically, he died later that year, just before his 30th birthday.
Leigh continued: “If you were HIV positive, you had to die and I lost so many friends too.”
The chair had become a source of comfort for Leigh and helped him hold on to better memories, but now he feared it would soon fall apart.
“I have photos of him polishing, so I’m sure he would be disgusted by it now,” he admitted.
Luckily, Nooranvary was able to repair the chair and it looked like new when Leigh picked it up from the Signature Barn. He said it was “indescribable” to see the chair in such good condition.
