The Repair Shop viewers left ‘crying’ over ‘very special’ item given to a man from grandson he lost to cancer when aged 15 as he says: ‘It’s become the most important thing in my life’
The Repair Shop viewers were left ‘crying’ over a ‘very special’ item given to a man from a grandson he lost to cancer at the age of 15, as he says: ‘It’s the most important thing in my become life’
Viewers of BBC’s The Repair Shop were left in tears by the transformation of a tin bee given to its owner by their grandson before he passed away.
Quentin Long brought the ornament to the show’s iconic barn with his stepson Tim Stockwell – whose son Miles bought the charming decoration for his grandfather in 2014.
But the pair revealed Miles had lost his battle with osteosarcoma – a form of bone cancer – at the age of 15, just months before Wednesday’s episode was filmed.
A viewer moved by the importance of the repair commented on X – formerly Twitter: ’11 minutes into #therepairshop and I’m already crying over a tin bee.’
Quentin fought back tears as he revealed the “very, very special” bee, whose color had drastically faded and whose head had also separated from the body.
Beautiful: Repair Shop viewers were in tears on Wednesday when a man brought in a broken bee ornament given to him by his late grandson who died of cancer aged 15
Tragic: Miles (pictured with his grandfather Quentin Long) tragically died on New Year’s Eve 2022 after a 14-month battle with bone cancer
‘Fantastic’: Quentin was overwhelmed with emotions when he saw the restored version of his precious garden ornament
‘Emotional’: Fans of the BBC show were left ‘crying’ over the meaningful repair
The grandfather added, “When he first bought it, it was a garden ornament he bought for me, which I loved, and now it has become the most important thing in my life.”
Silversmith Brenton West was determined to restore Quentin’s bee to its former glory, and he accomplished that and more as the owner was delighted with the ‘fantastic’ results.
Another commenter said: “He will never be forgotten.” The Repair Shop makes me emotional every week. Who would have thought that a bee could mean so much.’
Someone else added: ‘Love the bee repair and what a lovely way to commemorate a precious grandson Miles.’
The Repair Shop is known for the emotional significance of the items it restores, as well as the restoration itself, with another viewer saying: ‘I just love the skill and craftsmanship of the repairs, but it’s the meaning behind the items who makes it real.’
Before this venture, Quentin had already started a fundraising campaign for the Bone Cancer Research Trust in memory of his ‘sporty, cheeky, funny and loving’ grandson.
More than £20,000 has been raised in his name since he died on New Year’s Eve 2022 – 14 months after he was diagnosed.
Big Reveal: The show’s host, Jay Blades, had the honor of unveiling the revived bee
Moving: Quentin and his stepson Tim Stockwell (photo) were visibly moved when they saw the work of the Repair Shop team