BBC Repair Shop viewers 'in floods of tears' minutes into episode over backstory of beloved cuddly toy

Jess, Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch

The Repair Shop left viewers in 'floods of tears' just minutes into the new episode

BBC
Olivia Gantzer

By Olivia Gantzer


Published: 21/08/2024

- 21:33

The touching story left viewers very emotional just minutes after the new episode started

The Repair Shop has been gracing screens since 2017, with most episodes proving to be a tear-jerker with viewers.

The latest episode of the BBC favourite was no different - and just minutes in, heaps of fans admitted they were in "floods of tears" while tuned into Wednesday's programme and hearing the story of a cuddly toy named Jess.


It came as Lesley Anderson and her daughter Nicola entered the barn, with a cute cuddly cat toy in tow. They hoped toy conservators Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch could revive the furry feline friend, who had clearly seen better days.

"This is Jess, and he belongs to my son, Colin," Anderson explained. She detailed: "Colin is 12 years old, and he was our foster son and now we are legal guardians for him.

"And he has loved Jess from the day he came into our house." As Middleditch observed the teddy had been "loved to bits," Anderson agreed: "He really has!"

She continued: "Colin lived in hospital for his first two years, and Colin came on our radar, let's say, as a child with very complex medical needs looking for a home.

Julie Tatchell

The Repair Shop's Julie Tatchell was also in tears as she witness Colin's delight at being reunited with Jess

BBC

"Colin was born with Pierre Robin sequence, which means his jaw hadn't grown out and his windpipe was quite flat. So he had to have a tracheostomy in.

"And also he was never able to eat, so he's PEG-fed through a tube in his tummy. He talks with a talker, he has no speech.

"He also has a very severe heart condition - he's had two major open heart surgeries, and Jess goes into the theatre with him, and Jess in there when he wakes up.

"So Jess has been his comfort of two stomas that keep him alive, and so Colin had put a tracheostomy and a PEG in, and he holds him like this."

Colin and Jess

The Repair Shop saw an emotional reunion between Colin and his cuddly toy cat, Jess

BBC

"What was he like when you first met him?" Middlieditch asked, to which Anderson replied: "I just fell in love with him. Colin came home for palliative care - he wasn't supposed to survive.

"And that was 10 years ago so yes, it's been a journey." Taking to social media, plenty of viewers admitted they were already in tears over Colin's story.

"They've done it again. [Colin] and Jess. Crying already. What a lovely family as well. Not many people would do what they have done #TheRepairShop," one X user wrote.

"Eight minutes in and I’m already in floods of tears at #TheRepairShop," a second remarked.

Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch

The Repair Shop left viewers in 'floods of tears' just minutes into the new episode

BBC

Another shared: "First time I’ve cried before the #TheRepairShop transformation. Just hearing Lesley Anderson’s story about her son Colin and his cuddly toy Jess. What an impressive woman. So much love for her boy."

Responding, another penned: "Tears tripping me too! After a month of depressing news it’s lovely to watch something that shows the best of us! What a lovely family!"

"Am going to cry when jess is repaired, aren't I?" another person posted. (sic)

Eventually, there was an emotional reunion between Colin and Jess. The youngster was delighted to see his beloved cat fixed up and cried with delight, leaving Tatchell and Middleditch in tears too.

The two women shared a hug after becoming tearful, proud of their repair.

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