The Repair Shop star Jay Blades was forced to halt the show after hearing a jaw-dropping fact. The BBC programme returned on Wednesday (April 24) as the TV presenter and experts met members of the public wanting their family heirlooms restored.
One fix on the show was a job for textile conservator, Rebecca Bissonnet, who has more than 20 years experience working with prestigious institutions at the National Trust. Dearbhla Lennon and her mother Monda Roddy entered the shop to see if they could repair an old dress.
Dearbhla pulled out her first-ever Irish dancing dress which featured her mum’s first lace collar and cuffs on it. The lace was made specially for Monda’s first dancing dress in around 1952.
The orange dress was then made for Dearbhla when she was just two years old. She revealed the lace has “incredible sentimental value” having been passed down more than three generations.
Asked how they got into Irish dance, Monda explained that her mother wanted her to get into music, however, they had no access to instruments. After introducing them to Irish dancing, Monda danced competitively until she was 21.
She then opened her own school in 1970 and became a dance teacher. Opening up about her own experience in Irish dancing, Dearbhla explained she and her sister both performed professionally.
She said: “So I was in the original company of Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance. I toured as a principal with that show and with Riverdance as well.
Jay couldn’t believe what he was hearing as he brought the show to a dramatic pause. “Hold on a minute, hold on,” he interjected. “That’s like the biggest dance company in the world. They’ve toured everywhere!”
Dearbhla admitted: “I have been so lucky. Dancing has been so good for our family. It has really enriched our lives.” After explaining how much it would mean to them if the dress were fixed, Dearbhla made a proposition for Rebecca.
She said: “If Rebecca should do a really nice job we could possibly show you how to do a step or two.” Later in the programme, Rebecca documented the fixing process as she likened the difficulty to that of Irish dancing.
Returning to the shop, Monda revealed she hoped to see the dress in the condition it was when she wore it. Rebecca showcased the new dress as the mother-daughter duo fought to fight back tears.
They then followed through with their promise as they showed Jay and Rebecca some of their Irish dance moves.
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