They'll take part in a special live version of The Repair Shop as part of this year’s opening session at the Edinburgh TV Festival.
The Repair Shop will open its barn doors for a special live session at this year’s Edinburgh TV Festival with Dame Judi Dench and Craig Revel Horwood each bringing in a precious item in need of expert attention.
Hosted by furniture restorer Jay Blades, The Teddy Bear Ladies, Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell, and furniture restorer, Will Kirk are put through their paces when Craig brings in a life-like chimp from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1992 musical, Sunset Boulevard.
This iconic piece of history, given to Craig as an opening night present, has certainly seen better days. Craig would like the chimp restored, ready to display in his home, as he represents his time in the theatre.
Horologist, Steve Fletcher is next to have his skills put to the test when star of stage and screen, Dame Judi Dench brings in a precious pocket watch, a gift she gave her late husband, Michael Williams in 1972, but now no longer works.
Reminding her of times she had with Michael, she would like the watch to work and be heard again.
Producers, Ricochet, have created the 45-minute TV Festival special to mark its fifth anniversary, and Dame Judi Dench and Craig Revel Horwood will join Jay and the experts on stage for a live reveal of their fixes.
The session will be available on The TV Festival's YouTube channel shortly after.
Managing Director of Ricochet, Joanna Ball, said "The team, on and off screen, has done an extraordinary job and our heartfelt thanks to Dame Judi and to Craig for sharing their precious stories with us."
"As always we’re a little bit nervous sharing the finished fixes but we hope that they love the work our experts have delivered as much as we loved working on them."
To which Creative Director for the TV Festival, Stewart Clarke, added "This is the perfect opening entertainment piece and we would like to thank everyone involved for bringing a bit of The Repair Shop magic of the barn to the TV Festival, it’s going to be an absolute must-see."
The Repair Shop first aired on BBC Two before moving across to BBC One for Daytime and the current series is airing Wednesdays at 8pm.
With over 300 episodes broadcast, the format has transformed from a modest daytime programme to a treasured fixture on primetime BBC One.
With Comic Relief and Children in Need specials, four Christmas Specials and a Jubilee Celebration, the joy the fixes bring continues to enthral viewers.