The Repair Shop viewers baffled as narrator finally makes on-screen BBC appearance

BBC's The Repair Shop bombshell had fans floored in the recent episode, where an unexpected celebrity turned up. On Wednesday night, whilst the regular artisans at the beloved barn were preparing to rescue some treasured but tattered keepsakes, actor Bill Paterson, the show's narrator since 2017, surprisingly graced viewers' screens.

Eager fans took to to express their bewilderment and delight. One viewer exclaimed: "Wow, that's REALLY strange seeing the voice of #therepairshop on screen."

Others remarked on the use of archive footage by , suggesting: "The BBC having to cobble together old footage to fill the gap left by episodes removed it seems. I kinda wish they did it like they did with the 'Fixing Britain' spinoff during the pandemic, but I'm guessing they had to think fast. Seeing Bill on screen a surprise."

There was also a nod to Bill's diverse acting background as another fan remarked: "Voice of #therepairshop also played Bruno's dad in the 90s film of The Witches, if you've seen that."

With a rich career spanning impactful roles in Fleabag, Miss Potter and the cinematic rendition of Dad's Army, Bill Paterson's feature was indeed a pleasant shock for The Repair Shop enthusiasts, reports .

On a special highlights episode of the show, guest Minty Barlow brought in a charming miniature house that once graced a model village attraction in Cleethorpes. Her late parents had rescued the tiny abode when the attraction shut down in the 70s, creating a whimsical fairyland in their garden for Minty and her sibling.

The little house held enchanting memories for Minty, who dreamed of showing it to her daughter in its former glory.

The Repair Shop's ceramics whizz Kirsten Ramsay and woodworking guru Will Kirk teamed up to breathe new life into the treasured piece. The reveal moved Minty to tears, and viewers at home were equally touched, with one fan taking to social media to express: "Always love watching #TheRepairShop - heartwarming stories - loved the fairy house in tonight's episode."