Who knew a pair of boots could elicit such strong emotions?
On the most recent episode of The Repair Shop, a guy named Malcolm came into the barn with a unique request to have a pair of old boots repaired.
The shoes in issue belonged to his late father Jack, who was a prisoner of war during World War II and wore them during his ordeal.
Malcolm felt upset and caught up when telling his father’s tale on the BBC show, reading from the late veteran’s journal, which he kept while being held hostage for five years until being liberated by American soldiers.
Jack was apprehended in Norway before ever reaching a battlefield, yet he kept writing in his journal religiously.
He was starving and freezing, but he was able to carry his boots with him when he was eventually able to return home.
When Malcolm brought the boots into The Repair Shop’s barn, it was evident they required some tender loving care, as the cloth was moth-bitten, the heel was worn down, and the stitching was going apart.
Fortunately, cobbler Dean Westmoreland was up to the task, beginning by removing the 70-year buildup of dirt before getting to work on the necessary repairs.
Malcolm stated at the outset that he didn’t want the boots to seem brand new, but rather spruced up – and Dean definitely proved he was up to the challenge when the finished product was presented.
Several viewers admitted the transformation had left them emotional, with one person tweeting: ‘As long as the man is happy that’s all that matters and now the tears start flowing.’
‘I’m watching #therepairshop and I’m crying again over a pair of bloody boots!!’ someone else admitted.
Praising the cobbler, another Twitter user wrote: ‘Item I’m getting emotional over this week? A pair of boots! 🙈 But what a story they held & Dean did such an incredible job with them!’
Another praiseworthy message read: ‘@BBCOne #Congratulations on another perfect episode of #therepairshop – boots, sculpture, bench and microscope… fantastic!’
Last week’s installment of the show was heartbreaking to see, as a married couple was given a repaired photo frame with a photograph of their late infant son.
Luke and Emese’s son David died at the age of five months after being born prematurely alongside his twin brother Joshua.
The couple had brought a clay impression of David’s footprints, which was put next to his portrait.
The Repair Shop is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Source My Celebrity Life.