Skip to main contentSkip to footer
repair shop bill paterson

Who is the voice behind The Repair Shop? Meet Bill Paterson here

The actor has voiced the BBC show on and off since the beginning

Francesca Shillcock
Senior Features Writer
Updated: May 17, 2023
Share this:

The Repair Shop is one of our favourite TV shows. The programme has become hugely popular in recent years not just for the tear-jerking moments but the familiar faces who appear in each episode. The series, which recently won a BAFTA, became such a hit with audiences that it moved from a daytime slot on BBC Two to a primetime slot on BBC One. 

But alongside Jay Blades, Will Kirk, Suzie Fletcher and the rest of the gang of experts, there's one Repair Shop regular you may be less familiar with – the voiceover star, Bill Paterson. As narrator, Bill is there to talk through each episode and story that is brought into the workshop by members of the public wanting their beloved items to be restored to their former glory. His soothing voice has been accompanying the programme on and off since the beginning. Get to know the actor and voiceover star here…

WATCH: Fans blown away by Will Kirk's incredible restoration

Who narrates The Repair Shop?

Bill Paterson is The Repair Shop's narrator. The actor has lent his soothing tones to the BBC programme since the beginning, save a few series in between, and is the most recent person to be the show's voiceover.

What is Bill Paterson best known for?

As well as narrating the popular BBC show, Bill is an esteemed actor in film, TV and theatre. He began working as a professional actor in the 1970s and appearing in numerous productions in the West End and, in 1982, was nominated for the prestigious Laurence Olivier Award.

MORE: The Repair Shop's Will Kirk shares video of idyllic family retreat with baby daughter 

MORE: The Repair Shop's Steve Fletcher shares new photo of rarely-seen partner in sweet tribute 

bill paterson© Photo: Getty Images

Actor Bill Paterson provides the voiceover for The Repair Shop

His film credits include, The Killing Fields, The Witches, Truly, Madly, Deeply, and the 2016 film adaptation of Dad's Army

Viewers may also recognise the actor from his TV work. Bill has appeared in shows such as Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, Doctor Zhivago, Outlander, Shetland and, more recently, Fleabag, playing Phoebe Waller-Bridge's father.

repair shop bbc© Photo: BBC

The BBC show is a favourite among viewers

Has anyone else narrated The Repair Shop?

Bill Paterson voiced the first series of the BBC programme back in 2017, however, he was replaced for series two, three and four by Robert Pugh.

Robert Pugh is perhaps best-known for his role in HBO's Game of Thrones, but viewers may also recognise him from his stints in TV dramas Doctor Foster and Mr Selfridge. In series five, Bill returned to his narrating duties and has been a regular on The Repair Shop ever since. 

Will Kirk with his Repair Shop co-stars by the barn© BBC
The Repair Shop team are like a family
Will Kirk, Jay Blades and Steve Fletcher by The Repair Shop barn© BBC
The BBC show recently won a BAFTA
Suzie Fletcher in a blue coat and floral dress next to fellow The Repair Shop stars Jay Blades and Dominic Chinea
The programme is adored by fans

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

Sign up to Off Camera for all the gossip and goings-on from the wonderful world of TV and film

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here.

More TV and Film

See more