Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell, known as The Repair Shop's Teddy Bear Ladies, have become fan favorites on the BBC show. The duo, who specialize in restoring beloved soft toys, recently shared insights into their off-screen lives, including a children's book deal and their emotional struggles during filming.
Who Are the Teddy Bear Ladies?
Amanda and Julie met at their teddy bear shop in the New Forest in 2006. Combining their needlework skills, they initially ran workshops but soon shifted focus to restoration due to high demand. In 2017, TV production company Ricochet contacted them for The Repair Shop's pilot series. Julie said: "We loved the ethos behind the format of the show."
Book Deal and Children's Story
In 2024, the pair secured a publishing deal with Walker Books and co-authored a children's book titled Bartie Bristle. Announcing the news on Instagram, they described it as "set in a village in the heart of the Old Woods, the magical world of the teddy bear shop and the heart-warming stories of Bartie and his teddy bear friends." The inspiration came from short stories they wrote for children visiting their shop, with Julie reimagined as Mrs T and Amanda as Rose.
Emotional Moments on Set
Earlier this month, the Teddy Bear Ladies admitted they often cry off-camera during filming. In an interview with Alan Titchmarsh on ITV, Amanda said she believes viewers prefer not to see experts becoming tearful. She uses a technique of hugging guests after revealing restored items to contain her emotions. "It is so emotional," she explained, adding that producers limit emotional content to keep the show watchable. Julie added: "You could see I was about to lose it, I think it was quite clear."
Special Episode: World Cup Willie
On June 24, 2026, the pair will appear in a special one-off episode restoring a soft toy of the 1966 England mascot World Cup Willie, purchased by owner Steph during the historic tournament. The episode airs on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer.
