Ian Lawman, a renowned ghost expert and exorcist, had an incredibly emotional moment on the latest episode of The Repair Shop as he revealed the painful history behind a disfigured doll that has haunted him for decades.
Known for his appearances on Most Haunted and Living With The Dead, the 55-year-old exorcist shared a deeply personal story that brought him to tears as he recalled his late sister, Denise, and the eerie significance of the doll.
A Sentimental Piece of Family History
The antique doll, which was believed to have been made over 100 years ago, had been stored away in Ian’s attic for years.
He explained that it was a gift to his sister when she was just a baby, and it had remained a part of their family until Denise tragically passed away in a road traffic accident at the age of 24.
As Ian opened up on the show, he revealed that their last interaction had been a disagreement, one they never had the chance to resolve before her untimely death.
His voice cracked with emotion as he said, “Two days prior, we had a bit of an argument, we never argued, never made up, and two days later she was tragically killed.”
The Doll’s Condition and Ian’s Painful Memories
When Ian first discovered the doll in his attic, it was in poor condition.
The top of its head was missing, its arm was broken, and the overall state of the toy had deteriorated over time.
As he spoke to restoration experts Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch, Ian shared that the doll had remained in his sister’s bedroom for several years before being moved to the attic after her passing.
A Powerful Restoration
When Ian returned to The Repair Shop with his wife, Julie, to see the restored doll, he was overwhelmed by the transformation.
The doll had been carefully brought back to its original design, complete with a full head of hair, fingers, and a similar dress to the one it had worn in the past.
The experts even managed to restore its walking function.
“She’s got hair, she’s got a dress, very similar to what I remember, she’s got fingers and she’s stood upright. It’s absolutely amazing,” Ian marveled.
For Ian, the doll was more than just an object—it symbolized a chance for closure, something he had longed for since his last argument with his sister.
Finding Closure Through Restoration
As the doll was repaired, Ian explained that it gave him the emotional release he had been seeking.
“The doll symbolises closure for me,” he said, his voice trembling.
“My sister and I had a horrific argument before she passed and I never had the chance to apologise, so that’s been eating away at me.
But now the doll’s repaired, I just feel that, that chapter’s closed and I can move on.”
A Heartfelt Moment for Viewers
The emotional moment didn’t go unnoticed by viewers, who took to social media to express their feelings.
One fan wrote on X: “How lovely to see another side of Ian Lawman on #therepairshop,” while another commented, “#Therepairshop is emotional, the Doll ladies did a brilliant job.”
The Repair Shop’s Impact
The show continues to touch hearts by bringing people’s treasured items into the workshop to be restored, allowing participants to experience deep emotional healing.
The Repair Shop airs every Wednesday on BBC One and is available for streaming on iPlayer.