Dame Helen Mirren was visibly moved upon entering the famous barn of The Repair Shop to film this year's heartwarming Christmas special. The 80-year-old acting legend is appearing on the beloved BBC show to support a cause dear to her: Denville Hall, a care home for retired professionals from the entertainment industry.
A Dream Come True in the Iconic Barn
In a first-look clip from the festive episode, Dame Helen expresses her awe at the setting. 'Oh my goodness, this is beautiful! Oh My God, this is exactly the same as it is on the TV. What an iconic place to find myself,' she said. She added her thanks, noting that being in the barn is 'a lot of people's dream.' Her mission is to have an old cello, belonging to the care home, restored in time for Christmas carols.
The Story Behind the Cello and a Personal Wish
The cello presents a significant challenge for the show's experts. It dates back to World War Two and belonged to theatre director Martin Landau. A German refugee who escaped on the Kindertransport, Landau saw his cello broken by the Nazis before he could board the train. Unplayed for over 80 years, its restoration would allow residents to use it alongside their piano for festive songs.
In a separate revelation, Dame Helen shared a personal item she would love to see repaired: her late mother's sewing machine. She told The Mirror she still uses it but would 'love to bring it back' to full working order, cherishing childhood memories of her parents sewing together.
A Star-Studded Christmas Special Line-Up
The Christmas episode will also feature author Julia Donaldson and actor Rob Brydon. They will seek help to mend a toy farmhouse given to Julia by her grandmother. Dame Helen emphasised the importance of the cello project, stating that restoring the voice of Martin Landau's prized possession would be 'the greatest Christmas gift' for the Denville Hall community.
The Repair Shop Christmas special will air on Boxing Day, 26th December, at 7:30pm on BBC One and will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
