Dominic Chinea, the expert craftsman and metalworker celebrated on the BBC's beloved series The Repair Shop, has opened up about a series of personal and professional challenges that have left him in a "desperate" situation. The star, known for his skill in restoring cherished family heirlooms, is grappling with the aftermath of severe storms and a significant hand injury that has hampered his work.
Storm Damage and Workshop Woes
Chinea and his wife Maria recently relocated from Kent to a rural farmhouse in Cornwall, a move documented in his Channel 4 series, Dom Chinea's Cornish Workshop. However, the transition has been far from smooth. The couple's new home requires extensive renovations, and his workshop suffered devastating damage from storms Goretti and Chandra. These "scary, nightmare" events tore sections of the roof away and caused harm to vehicles he was restoring, including a VW Caddy and a Porsche 356.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Chinea described the frantic efforts to protect his tools and machinery. "My life's collection: all my precious tools and machinery were out in the elements going rusty, whilst I was desperately, desperately trying to get some walls built, the floor poured and the roof repaired so I could bring them inside," he said. He likened the tools to "babies" and expressed distress over their deterioration.
A Painful Setback: Hand Injury
Just as Chinea was making progress in securing his workshop, another setback struck. While constructing a wheeling machine for his YouTube channel, his hand was pulled into a drill, resulting in a serious injury. Although the cuts have healed, he highlighted the ongoing issue of "deep bruises," leaving him with "sausage fingers" and limited mobility in two fingers. This has significantly impacted his ability to work on restoration projects and create content.
Chinea's YouTube channel, where he showcases his craftsmanship on items like vintage motorcycles, has become a key part of his career. He reflected on its origins, noting that it began during lockdown with collaborator Dan Cross, who films and edits the videos. "We'd sort of be plotting at lunchtimes at Repair Shop. We'd be like, 'Oh, should we do a YouTube channel? We should do a YouTube channel,'" he recalled, emphasizing the creative partnership.
Looking Ahead with Hope
Despite these challenges, there are positive developments. Last month, Chinea installed a new two-post vehicle lift in his workshop, which he believes will make life "a lot easier." He expressed excitement about upcoming projects, stating, "I can’t wait to get stuck into some projects now in the workshop." However, with filming for The Repair Shop resuming in Chichester, he must delay using the new equipment until next week.
Fans can continue to watch Chinea's work on The Repair Shop, which airs on BBC One. His resilience in the face of adversity underscores the dedication he brings to both his television role and personal endeavors, even as he navigates this difficult period.
