Latest news with #DominicChinea
Daily Mail
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The Repair Shop guest breaks down in tears as she receives last gift father gave her before his tragic death - and admits grief has haunted her 'all through life'
A guest on The Repair Shop broke down in tears as she received the last gift her father gave her before his tragic death, which has haunted her 'all through life'. The BBC One programme sees guests enlist craft and artisan experts to restore their cherished heirlooms and keepsakes to their former glory. A special Favourite Fixes episode, which aired on Tuesday, saw presenters Will Kirk, 40, and Dominic Chinea, 39, revisit some of the show's best moments. It included a trip to the workshop by a guest named Emma who brought along a puppet her father gave her in the seventies when she was just eight years old. The toy is called Billy Willy, she explained: 'My dad got cancer so my nan thought it would be good for him to go to Scotland to a health farm. 'He was gone probably a couple of months, which is a long time when you're eight. It included a trip to the workshop by a guest named Emma who brought along a puppet (pictured before the transformation) her father gave her in the seventies when she was just eight years old 'I remember he phoned us and said what did we want as a present when he came back. 'In the seventies, puppets were all the rage! I just asked for a puppet and I got Billy Willy! I was absolutely thrilled with him. 'It was the last thing that my dad gave me because he died soon after. We don't have many photographs of dad so this is all I've got of my dad. I've got nothing else. 'That's why he's so special. I don't think I ever really went anywhere without him!' But she said her own children sadly 'absolutely hate' the puppet as cracks on its face and a missing leg give it a creepy, unsettling look. It adds to his existing clownish expression, with a red nose and smile and big wide eyes, alongside a shock of red hair and a clashing patterned outfit. Emma wanted to bring her beloved toy back into the family fold again: 'I think he'd be over the moon to know that Billy Willy was getting a second chance. 'And hopefully, you know, grandchildren that he'll never see will get to play with him.' She reflected: 'It's difficult to understand what happens when you lose a parent and you take it with you all through your life. It's always there!' Ceramics expert Kirsten Ramsay, helped by soft toy restoration experts the Bear Ladies, had a mammoth task on their hand to revitalise the puppet. But later in the episode, when the guest was reunited with her beloved childhood toy, it was clear all their efforts had been worth it. Admitting she had never been parted from Billy Willy before, an excited Emma could not wait to be reunited - and soon broke down in tears upon the final reveal. 'Oh my God! That's amazing! He looks like when he was new!', she exclaimed. 'Oh my God, you are amazing! He's still the same, oh it's lush, that is so good! He's brilliant, thank you!' Emma explained: 'I think it would mean so much to my dad, maybe when dad bought this for me, he knew that I needed something that was going to make me smile. 'It definitely makes me smile and cry.' Emma (pictured) explained: 'I think it would mean so much to my dad, maybe when dad bought this for me, he knew that I needed something that was going to make me smile' It comes after a rediscovered episode of the BBC programme also got everyone in the workshop feeling very emotional. A man named Iain McPherson met with silversmith Brenton West in hopes his prized possession could be overhauled. The instalment, originally released in 2022, saw him bring in a bookend, with a statue of an Special Air Service (SAS) soldier on it. His father, who served in the special forces unit of the British Army, was given the keepsake for its 50th anniversary in 1991. Iain explained his father left him the figurine when he passed away in 2002 - but it had unfortunately sustained extensive damage over the years. The resin model had its head accidentally knocked off when the father and son had once been doing a spot of decorating. Several other sections had also chipped off, with Iain luckily keeping most of the detached pieces, which could be used in the repair work. The man told expert Brenton more about his father - and his horrifying near-death experience: 'He joined the army as soon as he could in the Second World War. 'Then, he joined the SAS when it was formed [in 1941]. The special forces, they do a lot of fighting behind enemy lines.' Referring to the Nazi occupation of Greece from 1941 to 1944, he continued: 'In my dad's case, he was over in Greece quite a lot. 'He tried to liberate the Greeks and while he was there, he got wounded.' Severely injured, his father was on the verge of death - before, in a moment of astonishing luck, Greek resistance groups found and saved him. He was quickly losing blood - so the soldiers had to take decisive action, Iain said: 'He had three bullets in his leg and they actually cut his leg off on a kitchen table.' Expert Brenton was left completely shocked by this, replying incredulously: 'They cut his leg off?' He could only listen on in stunned silence as Iain said despite how harrowing the moment was, his 'very modest', highly decorated father never spoke about it. Brenton responded: 'You find that with true heroes. They don't often talk about it.' Iain was touched by this and quickly became overcome: 'Everybody said he was a great guy which is why this means a lot. I'm getting upset.' Aware of the importance of the item to the guest, Brenton got to work bringing it back to its former glory. And when he unveiled the final result to Iain later in the episode, the guest was totally shocked: 'Woah.' Iain soon broke into an enormous grin, saying the figurine was 'back to his old self' - before breaking down again, wiping away tears with a handkerchief. 'I don't think I could ask for better', he said, adding: 'You've fair done me proud and my dad too.'
South Wales Argus
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
The Repair Shop star announces rival show amid life change
Dominic Chinea, an expert who specialises in metalwork and other renovations, will be fronting a new TV project away from the BBC called Dom Chinea's Cornish Workshop. This comes after he and his family made the move to Cornwall from Kent. The Repair Shop star Dominic Chinea 'excited' to announce rival show after major life change The new show coming to U&YESTERDAY and its streaming platform U, has already started filming and will come in the form of a five-part series. The show follows Dom as he "carves out a new life" in the South West of England after buying a rundown farmhouse, according to The Mirror. Viewers will also see The Repair Shop expert help neighbours with their own projects, including the local church. In a statement, the BBC star said: "I'm so excited by the projects we've got going on. But on top of the engineering, I've also got to get my Cornish workshop built and weatherproof before the autumn storms hit. There's a lot of pressure!" According to TV Zone, UKTV's Kirsty Hanson, Senior Commissioning Editor, Factual and Factual Entertainment, said: "TV audiences love Dom Chinea for his passion, expertise and relaxed manner and this series showcases local stories and characters, as Dom and his wife Maria make a life-changing move from Kent to Cornwall.' When asked about the move to Cornwall previously, Dom said: "Why not?" He stated: "Moving to Cornwall has meant I've got the house, a lovely field that I can turn into a nice garden, and most importantly, a big barn that is now mine, that is my workshop." Recommended Reading: After renting his workshop in Kent, he said that this new one would be owned by him. He added: "Previously, I rented my old workshop, and every month was giving a lot of money to a landlord to rent the space. Now it's my space, and whatever I do to it, it's mine, and that is enough of a reason for me." The 39-year-old has been a part of The Repair Shop since 2017.
Glasgow Times
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
The Repair Shop star announces rival show amid life change
Dominic Chinea, an expert who specialises in metalwork and other renovations, will be fronting a new TV project away from the BBC called Dom Chinea's Cornish Workshop. This comes after he and his family made the move to Cornwall from Kent. The Repair Shop star Dominic Chinea 'excited' to announce rival show after major life change The new show coming to U&YESTERDAY and its streaming platform U, has already started filming and will come in the form of a five-part series. The show follows Dom as he "carves out a new life" in the South West of England after buying a rundown farmhouse, according to The Mirror. Viewers will also see The Repair Shop expert help neighbours with their own projects, including the local church. In a statement, the BBC star said: "I'm so excited by the projects we've got going on. But on top of the engineering, I've also got to get my Cornish workshop built and weatherproof before the autumn storms hit. There's a lot of pressure!" According to TV Zone, UKTV's Kirsty Hanson, Senior Commissioning Editor, Factual and Factual Entertainment, said: "TV audiences love Dom Chinea for his passion, expertise and relaxed manner and this series showcases local stories and characters, as Dom and his wife Maria make a life-changing move from Kent to Cornwall.' When asked about the move to Cornwall previously, Dom said: "Why not?" He stated: "Moving to Cornwall has meant I've got the house, a lovely field that I can turn into a nice garden, and most importantly, a big barn that is now mine, that is my workshop." Recommended Reading: After renting his workshop in Kent, he said that this new one would be owned by him. He added: "Previously, I rented my old workshop, and every month was giving a lot of money to a landlord to rent the space. Now it's my space, and whatever I do to it, it's mine, and that is enough of a reason for me." The 39-year-old has been a part of The Repair Shop since 2017.
Edinburgh Live
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
The Repair Shop expert makes announcement as they detail new show on rival channel
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Dominic Chinea, a familiar face from the Repair Shop, has revealed his latest venture away from the popular BBC programme. The 39 year old mechanic, who has been a part of the Repair Shop team since 2017, is already filming for his new television role amidst relocating with his family. Previously residing in Kent, Dominic announced plans to move to Cornwall along with his wife Maria Chinea and their dog Wendy. This week, it was unveiled that Dominic will feature in a new factual series titled Dom Chinea's Cornish Workshop on UandYESTERDAY channel and its streaming platform U. Production is currently in progress for the five-part series, which is set to premiere in the UK next year. The upcoming show will document Dominic as he embarks on a "carves out a new life" in Cornwall, having purchased a "rundown" farmhouse complete with a two-acre field. The property boasts a large agricultural barn that is destined to become his Cornish Workshop. (Image: (Image: BBC)) Audiences can expect to see Dominic undertaking automotive, engineering, and building tasks. He will also lend a hand to neighbours in his new community with their projects, including assisting his local church with their bells and crafting a custom-made ice cream vehicle, reports the Mirror. Each episode promises to deliver "packs big and little stories", showcasing Dominic's journey of transforming an ancient barn into his new workshop. Throughout the series, he will be joined by Sam Lovegrove and a host of local tradespeople. (Image: U&YESTERDAY) Dom stated: "I'm so excited by the projects we've got going on. But on top of the engineering, I've also got to get my Cornish workshop built and weatherproof before the autumn storms hit. There's a lot of pressure!". The update follows Dominic's earlier announcement about relocating to Cornwall. In a recent Q&A video on his YouTube channel, he opened up about the move, sharing that "a lot has changed" in his life. When asked about his decision to relocate with his family, Dominic responded with a simple "Why not?". (Image: BBC/Flabbergast TV Ltd) He went on to discuss the benefits of his new home, including a house, a field that he plans to turn into a garden, and a large barn that will serve as his workshop. Dominic explained that, unlike his previous rented workshop in Kent, this new space will be his own. He expressed his enthusiasm for having control over the property, saying: "Previously, I rented my old workshop, and every month was giving a lot of money to a landlord to rent the space. "Now it's my space, and whatever I do to it, it's mine, and that is enough of a reason for me."
Daily Mirror
18-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
The Repair Shop's Dominic Chinea opens up on going it alone after quitting job
The Repair Shop's Dominic Chinea has shared his thoughts on quitting a job after he took a big risk when he left his role Dominic Chinea, the metal worker known from The Repair Shop, recently opened up about leaving his job, conceding that "it's never the right time" for such a decision. During a Q&A session on his YouTube channel, Dom delved into his life and career and addressed his followers' curiosities. Within this revealing session, he was asked about his entrance into television and his pre-The Repair Shop pursuits. Dom, who has just moved from Kent to Cornwall, recounted his early career: "I got a job in London working for Rankin, a photographer." He detailed his rise through the ranks: "Ended up being his set designer, making props and sets and things for him, which took over a few years, and ended up running his set design department. That was a wild, but amazing, and difficult few years," reports Gloucestershire Live. He shared the bold leap he made into entrepreneurship: "I literally quit my job on the Friday, left there Monday that weekend whenever it was, signed the lease to my workshop, my new workshop in Hackney Wick in East London, which was an absolute derelict workshop, and started my own company being a set designer." The restorer also revealed the gamble involved in his career transition. "The next few months, from there on, were some of the scariest weeks, months, literally, I've ever had," Dominic admitted. Reflecting on those challenging times, he said, "Having that commitment to pay that workshop rent, having no job, no idea where the next job is going to come from, was a really scary time. "And I think that moment in my life, that time has given me a real appreciation for every single person that comes on to Make it a Market Show. "They've got so many of their situations I can relate to. They've got full-time jobs, they've got real jobs, and they want to do a craft for a living, but it's taking that leap from that full-time job to doing your own thing. "And I think because I've been there, I can relate, and when I speak to the people on that show and so many other people, I get it. I know how scary it is." The expert reflected on the fear of leaving a stable career and diving into something new, "And there's never the right time. It's never going to feel comfortable, it's never going to feel safe, but sometimes you have got to do what feels right." Trying to encourage those hesitant about making big life changes, Dominic offered, "And even though you don't know all the answers and you're not sure which way it's going to go, what's going to happen, just try and just go for it." He spoke earnestly about his life philosophy: "I'd rather get to later in life and regret having tried something and it failed, than regret not trying it."
