repair shop teddy bear ladies© Photo: BBC

Meet The Repair Shop's Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell

The pair are known as the Teddy Bear Ladies...

Senior Features Writer
March 16, 2021

The Repair Shop has become a TV staple thanks to its charming stories and fascinating item transformations, but the team of experts are the beating heart of the BBC show.

MORE: The Repair Shop's Kirsten Ramsay recalls 'emotional' moment from show that left her in tears

Familiar faces like Jay Blades, Will Kirk and Suzie Fletcher are viewer favourites and many know plenty about their field of expertise.

However, some fans might be less familiar with Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell – who make appearances on the show whenever a beloved teddy bear needs some TLC. Meet the experts, also known as the 'Teddy Bear Ladies' here…

WATCH: The Repair Shop's Will Kirk left red-faced after being branded a 'heartthrob'

Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell's bio

Amanda and Julie are known as the 'Teddy Bear Ladies' in The Repair Shop thanks to their expertise of repairing vintage bears and soft toys. The experts don't appear as regularly as the other restorers on the show, but the pair have made a number of appearances since the show began in 2017.

Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell's career

As well appearing on the BBC programme, Amanda and Julie have been working together and running their own business, Bear It In Mind, since 2006. The pair often post their charming creations and restorations on their Instagram @theteddybearladies.

MORE: The Repair Shop's Will Kirk delights fans with snaps from new series

MORE: The Repair Shop star Jay Blades' latest project gets fans' approval

Julia and Amanda run their own business

After their growing business became a success, the unique pair of experts were then asked to join the team at The Repair Shop. "We were approached by Ricochet, ahead of the pilot series, to ask if we would be interested in being part of a new TV show," Julie told the BBC. "We loved the ethos behind the format of the show."

What else is there to know about Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell?

The pair opened up about the most memorable repair while working on the BBC show and the emotion that often comes with it. Amanda told the BBC: "All the items bring their own challenges due to the condition they arrive in. It isn’t just following the remit for the repairs that are required, it is the emotional involvement that naturally becomes a part of the work.

MORE: Jay Blades shares adorable childhood snap as he celebrates his birthday

"For example, when we worked on Wheely Ted for Janet, her inspirational story and our understanding of what Wheely Ted meant to her really added to the challenge."

Like this story? Sign up to our newsletter to get other stories like this delivered straight to your inbox.

More TV and Film

See more