The Repair Shop experts Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell were left speechless after discovering a cherished item brought into the barn had a special link to the Royal Family.
Former children's TV presenter Jenny Hanley arrived with a stuffed monkey named Alphonse that had belonged to her grandmother, Lisa Sheridan, during a repeat episode broadcast on Wednesday night (October 28).
Royal Photography Connection
Jenny explained that Alphonse was used as a prop to keep children entertained during photography sessions, including a young Princess Elizabeth and her sister Margaret. When asked how Studio Lisa captured images of the royals, Jenny told the BBC stars it was through a friend.
She commented: "A friend of Lisa’s was working for the Royal Family, and everybody wanted to know more about them and the two princesses.
"Studio Lisa was asked to photograph them to introduce them more to the public, and they went along when the Queen was about 10. They were the first to take, what one can call, happy family snaps."
Restoring Alphonse
Jenny told the BBC stars that Alphonse was used to get the two princesses to look at the camera during their photos. She added, "When Princess Elizabeth became Queen, they were invited to take photographs of Princess Anne and Prince Charles, and this little guy was there."
When her grandmother died, Jenny inherited the toy, which was showing signs of wear as the metal frame was beginning to peek through the material. However, Jenny stressed she wanted some elements, such as its eyes, to remain unchanged.
As Amanda and Julie began their work on Alphonse, Amanda said: "I’m blown away by this." While Julie confessed: "I’ve not seen one like this before."
Reunion and Reaction
The duo inspected the bear more closely and were relieved it had little damage other than the metal frame poking out of its hands and feet, prompting Amanda to create new ones.
When the toy was unveiled, Jenny commented: "Oh, bless him, that’s Alphonse, that’s a healthy Alphonse. Golly, how did you do that?! Wow, you mended this beautifully. The family will be so pleased to see him and be able to touch him."
Calling the ladies "brilliant", Jenny said the toy would now live on in the family. The Repair Shop is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
