The Repair Shop star Jay Blades was left emotional alongside expert Mark Stuckey when their guest Albert Thompson broke down in tears after seeing his late wife’s radio restored.
Thompson appeared on the show alongside his daughter Lynne and explained to the experts: “Well, when me and the wife, Eileen started courting.
“We’d been courting about a year and whilst we were downtown we saw these. I think it was in Boots, they used to sell all sorts at that time.
“And it was up there and it was £2.50 and me and the wife clubbed together and we bought it. We used to take it all over with us, in the car, go on the beach.”
Noticing the passion in his voice when recalling the story, Blades noted: “So this radio has been like the life of the party for a lot of people and also the family.”
Thompson continued: “I used to have it in the greenhouse with me, and two years ago it stopped and it was two years to the day when Eileen passed away.
Albert Thompson broke down in tears when he heard the radio play again
BBC
“She were an absolute ace and… I really do miss her. It’s never gone since. And I just wondered if you could do anything with it and get it repaired so I can get it back in my greenhouse.”
As Thompson and his daughter left the radio in the capable hands of Stuckey, he immediately got stuck in and explained: “It’s one heck of a big story.
“It’s something that makes you feel that you really want to get it working again. Looking at Albert’s radio internally for the very first time, I can see there are a couple of things already which are going to cause an issue.
“We have a broken connection on the long wave coil and numerous components which will need to be replaced for safety anyway.”
Jay Blades became emotional and consoled Albert
BBC
After working on the radio, it was soon time for Thompson to return to the barn to retrieve his wife's radio, and when it was finally revealed he was left speechless at the transformation.
“Oh my god… Oh, that is brilliant! Oh thank you so much!” he exclaimed before Blades informed him he had another surprise in store.
With the help of the local radio station, Blades pressed the on button and the radio began to play: “I’ve got something just a little bit different for you now here on Spirit FM.
“We’ve had a request for Albert, and hopefully this next tune will bring back a few memories, and this is dedicated to Albert and Eileen.”
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Jay Blades became emotional as his guest broke down in tears
BBC
Born to Love Me by Roy Orbison played out and left Thompson to sob, being comforted by his daughter and Blades.
He explained: “Oh Eileen. I can see her dancing at the old baths. We used to smooch to this, last dance at the baths. That’s fantastic.
“I can’t believe it. That is brilliant. Oh, thank you guys! Oh, I don’t know what to say,” before Stuckey reassured: “You don’t have to say anything, you’ve said everything by the way you are.”