In a surprising departure from the red carpet, Dame Helen Mirren is set to appear in a heartwarming Christmas special of BBC One's beloved series, The Repair Shop. The legendary actress, along with author Julia Donaldson and actor Rob Brydon, will feature in the festive episode where cherished items are given a new lease of life.
A Cello with a Powerful History
Dame Helen Mirren is bringing a deeply significant item to the barn: a cello from the Second World War that belongs to Denville Hall, a care home for retired entertainment industry professionals. The instrument was bequeathed to the home by theatre director Martin Landau, who fled Germany on the Kindertransport. Tragically, the Nazis broke his cello before he could board the train, and it hasn't been played in over 80 years.
Dame Helen, a loyal supporter of the care home, explained the emotional importance of the restoration. 'Denville Hall is a very special place and we’ve long talked about repairing Martin’s cello,' she said. 'To be able to restore the voice of his prized possession and hear it play once more will be the greatest Christmas gift for the community.' The goal is to have expert Becky Houghton restore the cello so it can be used alongside the home's piano to perform Christmas songs for the elderly residents.
Childhood Inspiration and Community Gifts
Also visiting the magical barn is Julia Donaldson, the renowned author of the BBC's forthcoming Christmas animation, The Scarecrows' Wedding. She is joined by Rob Brydon, the voice actor for all of her animated adaptations. Together, they seek to repair a cherished toy farmhouse that was given to Julia by her grandmother.
This farm was a source of countless childhood stories for Julia and her sister and even served as inspiration for the settings in some of her books. Furniture restorer Will Kirk and ceramics expert Kirsten Ramsay will work to bring the farm back to life. In a generous act, Julia will then gift the restored farmhouse to Chestnut Tree House, a children's hospice where she has a long-standing relationship and has performed her stories for the children.
'Bringing stories alive through play is such a special part of childhood,' Julia commented. 'The thought of having it restored and shared and enjoyed once again with many more children means a lot to me.'
More Festive Fixes for the Community
The Repair Shop team's festive efforts don't stop there. They will also take on the challenge of restoring a much-loved, life-size mechanical Rudolph belonging to the Leicestershire Fire Service. The reindeer has brought decades of festive cheer but is currently in a sorry state and needs expert attention.
Other items include an 80-year-old battered sledge from a family in Northern Ireland and a dilapidated carol book that is central to a little-known local tradition in Sheffield. Managing Director at Ricochet, Joanna Ball, said: 'It’s a real honour to be part of the BBC’s Christmas schedule and bring some Repair Shop magic to the festive season.'
Julie Shaw, Commissioning Editor for BBC Factual, added that the special is 'guaranteed to be magical' and 'full of warmth,' promising a treat for audiences to enjoy this Christmas.
