The Repair Shop featured a writing box last night and viewers were in tears as its owner spoke of the object’s incredible connection to his past.
Wednesday (August 12) evening’s episode of the BBC series featured Alan from Peterborough, who came into the shop with a writing slope that folded into a little wooden box.
What happened with the writing box on The Repair Shop?
He explained that he found it in his sister’s loft after she passed away. And a letter it contained revealed an amazing truth about his family – and the real identity of his sister and grandparents.
Alan said, speaking to restorer Will Kirk: “[It’s] A very poorly writing slope. My sister died in 2006. We cleared her house out, went into the loft. Had another look around, and in the corner of the loft… this box.
Read more: The Repair Shop viewers weep as woman’s restored purse reconnects her with late mum
“So I took it home, opened it up and got the shock of my life.”
He explained: “This letter. Inside was the application for my adoption by what I thought were my parents. In fact, they were my grandparents. And Ethel, my older sister, was actually my mother.
“She never, ever let on.”
Gobsmacked, Will asked: “And you only found out this information because of this? My god.”
When Will and the show’s star, Jay Blades, showed Alan the restored writing slope, he couldn’t believe it.
“All my Christmases have all come at once,” he said, voice welling with emotion. “It’s like, my link with the past now. Thank you, Will.”
Sobbing already.
He continued: “So pleased that Will has done such a fantastic job. It’s my link, my only link now, with my past.
“When I get home, all the documents and photographs will go back into it. This will take pride of place.”
What did viewers say about it?
Reacting on Twitter, viewers had to admit they didn’t have “many tears left” as Alan and his story – as well as the box’s beautiful restoration – had them feeling emotional.
One said with a crying emoji, “The writing desk” and added in a separate tweet: “Sobbing already over that writing desk #therepairshop.”
Read more: The Repair Shop: Tram seat episode has viewers in bits
Another tweeted, tearfully: “What a story behind the writing box #therepairshop.”
A third put: “Oh god, Alan’s writing box has got me in bits #therepairshop.”
“OMG writing box guy,” said a fourth, adding: “I need ice cream.”
https://twitter.com/samjcstuff/status/1293635193807540225
Sobbing already over that writing desk #therepairshop
— Sam (@samjcstuff) August 12, 2020
What a story behind the writing box #therepairshop 😭
— mschin (@mschin01) August 12, 2020
Oh god, Alan’s writing box has got me in bits#therepairshop
— John P M (@JohnPMerrigan) August 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/Joyce_Stack/status/1293626169431076866
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