Viewers of BBC’s The Repair Shop were left in tears by the transformation of a tin bee which had been given to its owner by their grandson before he passed away.
Quentin Long brought the ornament into the show’s iconic barn with his stepson Tim Stockwell – whose son Miles bought his grandfather the charming decoration in 2014.
But the pair revealed Miles had lost a battle with osteosarcoma – a type of bone cancer – aged 15, just months before Wednesday’s episode was filmed.
One viewer who was moved by the significance of the repair commented on X – formerly Twitter: ’11 minutes into #therepairshop and I’m already crying at a tin bee.’
Quentin was fighting back tears as he unveiled the ‘very, very special’ bee, the colour of which had faded drastically, and its head was also separate from the body.
Lovely: The Repair Shop viewers were left in tears on Wednesday when a man brought in a broken bee ornament which was given to him from his late grandson who died of cancer aged 15
Tragic: Miles (pictured with his grandfather Quentin Long) tragically died on New Year’s Eve in 2022 after a 14-month battle with bone cancer
Touching: Quentin and his Stepson Tim Stockwell (pictured) were visibly moved when they saw the work of the Repair Shop team
‘Fantastic’: Quentin was overwhelmed with emotion when he saw the restored version of his precious garden ornament
‘Emotional’: Fans of the BBC show were left ‘crying’ by the meaningful repair
The grandfather added: ‘When he first bought it, it was a garden ornament which he bought me, which I loved, and now it’s become the most important thing in my life.’
Silversmith Brenton West was determined to restore the bee to its former glory for Quentin, and he fulfilled that and more as the owner was delighted by the ‘fantastic’ results.
Another commenter said: ‘”He’ll never be forgotten.” The Repair Shop makes me emotional every week. Who knew a little bee could mean so much.’
Someone else added: ‘I love the bee repair and what a lovely way to remember a dear grandson Miles.’
The Repair Shop is known for the emotional significance of the items it restores, as well as the restoration itself, with another viewer saying: ‘Just love the skill and craft of the repairs but the it’s the meaning behind items that really makes it.’
Before this endeavour, Quentin had already started a fundraiser for the Bone Cancer Research Trust in memory of his ‘sporty, cheeky, funny and loving’ grandson.
It has seen over £20,000 raised in his name since he died on New Year’s Eve, 2022 – 14 months after being diagnosed.
Big reveal: The show’s host, Jay Blades appeared visibly moved when talking to the men
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