BBC The Repair Shop star says he's been left with permanent injury after filming

The Repair Shop's cobbler Dean Westmoreland has been left with a permanent injury after several machinery accidents during his career.

The BBC series, which first aired in 2017, has captured the hearts of viewers as it brings emotional stories to life through the restoration of treasured possessions. Despite the show's success, Dean has paid a personal price for his craft.

From clown shoes to war boots, Dean embraces all kinds of footwear repairs. He said: "It's always a challenge because every pair has a different story."

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However, his dedication has led to an altered thumb shape due to mishaps with machinery, reports the Mirror. He told OK!: "I have a squared-off thumb!"

Dean, who became part of The Repair Shop team in 2021, was a fan of the show before joining and initially thought some scenes were staged. To his surprise, upon joining, he discovered that the restorations genuinely do take place in the barn as depicted on TV.

Repair Shop viewers are accustomed to seeing the show's experts become emotional as they reunite guests with their cherished, restored items. Yet, Dean stated that he has managed to avoid shedding tears on camera after particularly moving restorations.

He shared: "It's really fulfilling, You know the history of the item, the story, you get an insight into people's lives. So there's that extra responsibility. When you give it back and they're happy, there's such a sense of relief."

The Repair Shop is set to return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer next Wednesday with six fresh episodes. Host Jay Blades and his team of skilled repairers will be back in the workshop, restoring treasured possessions for members of the public.