BBC The Repair Shop guest chokes back tears after | UK News

The latest episode of The Repair Shop noticed a guest choke back tears after their hero’s heartbreaking death. Wednesday’s (February 4) version of the beloved BBC show noticed specialists Will Kirk and David Burville meet Toby Hounsham, who required help in renovating a keyboard once owned by his musical inspiration Dave Greenfield. Dave was a member of standard punk band The Stranglers prior to his premature passing in 2020 aged 71.

Toby revealed: “This is the actual keyboard he recorded all the big hits, [like] No More Heroes. It’s called a Hohner Cembalet, and this is the one… He would’ve toured with it for hundreds and hundreds of gigs, hence all of these battle scars. Every mark on here tells a story.” The guest continued to specific just how vital Dave’s instrument was to him, stating: “He was my hero. I’m a keyboard player myself, and Dave inspired me to play the keyboards,” experiences Gloucestershire Live.

Toby disclosed that he’d achieved some recognition with a group called Rialto, which resulted in slots on Top of the Pops and TFI Friday. The musician then recounted assembly his idol at a post-concert gathering during one of The Stranglers’ tours, before ultimately stepping into Dave’s position as the band’s keyboard participant.

“I got a phone call a few months after Dave’s passing, being invited to join the band. And I am now the keyboard player in The Stranglers… As a consequence of being the keyboard player in The Stranglers, I was presented with his original keyboard,” Toby disclosed, rendering Will and David totally shocked. Will noticed: “This is a real one-of a kind, unique thing to work on,” with David responding: “Oh, it’s massive. Absolutely massive.”

David promptly started by changing the rubber on the keys, and requested Mark Stuckey’s help in reviving the instrument’s circuit board. After quite a few repairs, David efficiently reassembled the keyboard, before making use of a coat of shellac polish to help protect the patina and offer a protecting layer.

Later, Toby returned to the barn to view his restored treasure, which left him visibly emotional. “Oh! Wow! I’m a bit speechless, actually. That’s incredible,” the guest remarked as he fought back tears. “We had a conversation about preserving the character and not just making it a brand-new one and you’ve done that perfectly. I’m speechless.”

Toby then captivated the specialists when he carried out a melody on the legendary keyboard. He completed: “Guys, I can’t thank you enough. What you’ve done here is incredible. It’s blown my mind, thank you… I’d like to think Dave would approve.”

BBC audiences had been equally astonished after listening to the cherished instrument functioning once more, with one viewer posting on X (previously Twitter): “Fantastic to see The Stranglers Dave Greenfield’s Keyboard restored on the Repair Shop and that it wasn’t just Thrown Away.”

Someone else commented: “That keyboard is so cool,” while a third remarked: “So fascinating and inspiring to watch the talents of the people on the Repair Shop fix up and restore Dave Greenfield’s keyboard.” A fourth admirer echoed comparable emotions, commenting: “Oh my, The Stranglers were my favourite band in my youth. Seen them so many times. Hearing Dave’s keyboard was fantastic.”

The Repair Shop is on the market to stream on BBC iPlayer