Repair Shop’s Will Kirk
Furniture restorer-turned-TV presenter Will Kirk talks about getting emotional on TheRepairShop, and why he didn’t mind lockdown at all…
Furniture restorer Will Kirk is one of the standout stars of TheRepairShop, the show which, since 2017, has seen family heirlooms and treasures restored to their former glory – by a group of passionate craftsmen and women, from a cosy barn nestled deep in the British countryside. An expert in wood restoration, Will grew up watching his grandfather in his workshop, inspiring him to follow in his footsteps. Here, the likeable craftsman, who lives with his fiancée in London, opens up on the new series, and how close he is to his co-hosts…
Will, viewers can’t get enough of The Repair Shop! What’s its secret?
Well it’s relatable – we’ve all got something passed down to us, I think, that links us to our family, be they alive or passed away. Then, lots of people are also really interested in seeing how things are fixed or made! It encompasses the emotional and the practical. Especially with lockdown, people want to watch something that’s not too in-yourface or stressful. It’s feel-good TV. I’ve never met anyone who hates The Repair Shop!
You filmed this series just before lockdown – how’s the past year been for you?
I took to the whole situation quite well! It was nice to have a break from work. I’ve been doing loads around my flat, putting shelves up, re-decorating, doing all the things I’ve been told to do for many years and finally got around to it. I’ve just been spending time in London with my fiancée, which is nice – any time I’ve filmed The Repair Shop for the past four years, it’s meant six, seven months away from home!
Are you and the other restorers friends off-air?
We’re like a big family. Luckily, the production company put a group of strangers together in a barn, and it’s worked. You can’t manufacture real friendship. We’re with each other during filming, morning to evening – pre-lockdown, we’d stay in a hotel and you’d be having your breakfast together, work together, then sharing pints in the evening! If there are ever any issues with work or outside of work, there’s always somebody to lend an ear. It’s always quite sad when a series comes to an end and we say goodbye.
The first episode sees you help a woman with a boat made of matchsticks...
Oh, the matchstick boat! We’re so invested in getting it right as we know how much it means to people. This lady’s dad had a heart condition and had died aged 35, when she was just
seven. So yes… Everything that comes in has an emotional story. That boat came in, in absolute pieces. It was one of those moments when I looked at Jay and thought, ‘I don’t know if I can fix this?!’ But I love a challenge. And I managed it in the end.
These are labours of love, aren’t they?
They really are. Before, when I had my own workshop, people would come in and you wouldn’t know the personal stories behind things. It was literally, ‘This is broken – can you fix it?’ So, The Repair Show has opened my eyes to the fact that everything has a story. There’s some fascinating, jawdropping stuff coming through the door this series! It’s a lot of pressure on us to get it right – but I just love that what we do makes people happy. You can almost see the memories, the flashbacks in people’s eyes…
Do you ever get teary while filming?
I get a lump in my throat all the time. I think I’ve cried on every single Christmas special we’ve done. I cry most days – which is really quite tricky when you’ve also got sharp objects in your hands! It can get intense.
Is restoration also quite therapeutic?
Incredibly! I took up wood whittling recently, so I’ve been working on that to keep my hands occupied – it really does take your mind off any worries you’ve got. Lots of people have embraced crafts in lockdown, partly for that reason.
You must be handy to have around the house, Will…
You say that! There are so many odd jobs I need to do… Then I’ve got my mum calling me about coming to do bits at her house. The good thing is, during lockdown I haven’t really been able to – but that excuse isn’t going to last for that much longer!
Studying furniture restoration, did you ever imagine a career on telly?!
No, I’m just a furniture restorer who happens to do it on TV! Even the camera crew are like family, so I don’t think about them recording what I’m doing, and how many millions might watch that. Which is a good thing, because if I did, it would totally freak me out...
You’re very popular with the ladies – how does that feel?
Ha, I’ve never heard that before – honestly! It’s always nice to have a fan or two, what can I say?! I sometimes get stopped on the street by enthusiastic fans, but look – it’s brilliant to be associated with a great show.
New episodes of The Repair Shop air on weekdays at 4.30pm or BBC One, or catch up on BBC iPlayer.
‘I just love that what we do makes people happy’