The Repair Shop's Teddy Bear Ladies Issue Heartfelt Plea for Christmas Items
Stars from the beloved BBC programme The Repair Shop are calling on viewers for assistance as they prepare to record the show's festive special. Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch, famously known as the Teddy Bear Ladies, have turned to social media asking supporters for help in sourcing treasured items with Christmas stories.
A Festive Appeal on Social Media
In a touching video posted on their shared Instagram account earlier this week, Amanda asks followers: "Julie, why are we packing all this away?" Julie, sporting a Santa hat, replies: "Because it's not Christmas anymore." Amanda laughs before responding: "Ah, but it will be soon." A puzzled Julie asks: "Will it?" Amanda explains: "Yeah because The Repair Shop will be filming their next Christmas special and we need items, much-loved treasured items, that have a lovely, warm, Christmassy story behind them."
Julie continues: "You must have something out there." Her co-star adds: "You never know what we might get but please please, have a good think." The caption alongside the video read: "If you have a treasured item that has a Christmas story please go to bbc.co.uk/takepart or email epair@richochet.co.uk."
Background of the Teddy Bear Ladies
Amanda and Julie have established themselves as fixtures on the popular BBC One show, offering their specialist knowledge to those bringing their beloved toys for restoration. Julie employs traditional toy-making techniques and focuses on restoring soft toys and vintage bears. She partnered with Amanda in 2006 to establish Bear it in Mind, a restoration enterprise based in the New Forest.
Beyond their regular television and radio appearances, they present a podcast called 'Bearly Begun' and maintain an active presence on Twitter and Instagram for their supporters. The duo have also penned a popular children's book together. Despite assumptions, the pair aren't relatives but rather devoted friends. Having worked alongside each other for more than 15 years, they share a deep commitment to their craft.
Their Instagram profile showcases the diverse restoration projects Julie and Amanda have tackled. Their expertise caught the BBC's eye, leading to an invitation to join The Repair Shop, which they accepted in 2017. Episodes of The Repair Shop are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
