This holiday season, Dame Helen Mirren is bringing her warmth and charm to the iconic Repair Shop barn, and the excitement is palpable.
The legendary 80-year-old actress couldn’t hide her awe as she stepped into the festively decorated studio to help restore a very special item for a charity close to her heart.
Supporting Denville Hall with a Festive Touch
Helen’s visit isn’t just about holiday cheer—it’s about giving back.
She’s helping Denville Hall, a care home for people who have dedicated their lives to the entertainment industry.
Her mission? To restore a vintage cello so it can once again fill the hall with music during Christmas carols.
“Oh my goodness, this is beautiful! Oh my God, this is exactly the same as it is on the TV. What an iconic place to find myself,” she exclaimed in a first-look clip.
A Cello Steeped in History
The cello has a story almost as poignant as the Christmas season itself.
Left to Denville Hall by theatre director Martin Landau, it survived decades of history but hasn’t been played for over 80 years.
Originally from Germany, Martin fled the country on the Kindertransport during World War Two, but tragically, the cello was damaged before he could bring it with him.
Now, the hope is that restoring the instrument will unite the care home’s residents in song.
Personal Sentiments and Family Memories
The Repair Shop Christmas special is also a personal moment for Helen.
She revealed that if she were visiting in a personal capacity, she’d love to restore her late mother’s old sewing machine.
“I still use it although it’s getting a little bit on its last legs.
I would just love to bring it back,” she told The Mirror.
Sewing has been a family tradition, with memories of her parents crafting sails for boats and tailoring clothes—a practice Helen continues herself today.
Music, Magic, and Holiday Cheer
Restoring Martin Landau’s cello is more than a repair project—it’s a gift to the community at Denville Hall.
Helen described it as giving “the greatest Christmas gift” by bringing the voice of a treasured instrument back to life, allowing the elderly residents to enjoy music once again.
Other Stars Join the Festive Fun
Helen isn’t the only celebrity visiting the barn this Christmas.
Julia Donaldson, beloved author of the forthcoming BBC Christmas animated special The Scarecrow’s Wedding, will bring a toy farmhouse to be repaired—a gift from her grandmother.
Actor Rob Brydon, who has voiced characters in all of Donaldson’s animated adaptations, will join her for the restoration, adding even more star power to the festive episode.
Don’t Miss the Repair Shop Christmas Special
Tune in to BBC One on Boxing Day at 7:30pm to catch all the festive magic, heartwarming stories, and incredible restorations.
For those who can’t watch live, the episode will also be available to stream on iPlayer.
This year, the Repair Shop Christmas special promises more than repairs—it’s a celebration of memories, music, and the joy of giving.
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