The Repair Shop's David Burville joins forces with fellow expert Mark Stuckey to restore a model fairground in the latest episode of Beyond the Barn. The professional organ builder runs his own workshop in Canterbury, Kent, called D.R Burville Organ Builders, having started his career at F H Browne.
Career and friendship
David made a big move to Belgium in 1998 to start an apprenticeship, later returning to the UK to set up his own business. Since joining The Repair Shop, he has formed solid friendships with his co-stars, including electronics expert Mark.
The BBC star took to Facebook to share an update in support of his close friend, after purchasing Mark's book, Bright Spark. He captioned the video: "Looking forward to reading about Mark's fascinating life! I'm very honoured to call him my friend!"
Cast nickname and fan reaction
In the accompanying video, he said the book was "very aptly named" as he revealed the cast's nickname for Mark, "Mark the Spark". David added: "Mark has got some wonderful, wonderful stories and no doubt this book is going to be jam-packed full of stories."
Fans were touched by David's thoughtful gesture, with one commenting: "Such talents, Mark and you David, with your lovely smiles. All of you on Repair Shop are incredibly talented, and you're all like an extended family to us viewers, never stop doing what you're so good at, this BBC programme is unquestionably the best."
Personal life and community gestures
While David tends to keep his family life out of the spotlight, he has shared details of his marriage to wife Kelly, with the wedding taking place at Marleybrook House in Canterbury, Kent. Previously sharing an Instagram video to celebrate the couple's anniversary, he said: "Fun this evening at @marleybrookhouse. Our anniversary was this week. Nice to spend time with my Kelly and the family. #marleybrookhouse #anniversary #funfair #fairground #weddingvenue #forhire."
Away from The Repair Shop, the star has carried out plenty of selfless gestures within the community, surprising a centenarian with tunes from a street organ outside her home back in 2022. Yvonne Burgess, from Swalecliffe in Kent, is registered blind and she said listening to the street organ was a "lovely surprise", according to Kent Online.
David said of the party: "It has been wonderful being invited. We have known Yvonne for a few years and she is such a wonderful soul. It is quite fitting to bring the organ along and play a few of her favourite tunes. This is a Dutch street organ built in the mid-60s. It has 52 keys which relates to the number of notes and pipes. I got it about four years ago and I've completely rebuilt it and added pipes. We've added a lot of modern tunes to the repertoire and it's a good, fun instrument."
David quickly established a name for himself, being the youngest full-time organ builder in the UK, according to his website. He continues to wow viewers showcasing his skills not only building, but also restoration. The Repair Shop: Beyond the Barn airs on BBC One at 8pm.
