Suzie Fletcher, the beloved leather and saddle specialist from BBC One's hit show The Repair Shop, has shared poignant details about her personal life, focusing on her late husband Rob's battle with pancreatic cancer and her efforts to protect her family during that difficult period.
A Heartfelt Revelation on Family Protection
In a recent candid discussion, Fletcher explained the heartbreaking reason she chose to keep her husband's diagnosis private from her family members. She was deeply concerned about causing them unnecessary distress, particularly her mother, who she knew would worry intensely if she felt her daughter might struggle to cope.
Fletcher, who was married to Rob for 18 years before his passing in 2013, stated that her primary focus after receiving the devastating news was to fulfil her husband's wishes and provide him with everything he desired, no matter how challenging those requests might have seemed.
The American Chapter and Personal Loss
The skilled artisan first met her husband in Colorado after relocating to the United States to work as a master saddler in Illinois. What began as a planned two-year stay unexpectedly extended to 22 years, with the couple building their life together overseas before Fletcher eventually returned to the UK.
It was during their time living in the United States that Rob tragically lost his battle with cancer, leaving Fletcher heartbroken and navigating profound grief while separated from her immediate family support network in Britain.
The Repair Shop as a Beacon of Hope
Following her husband's passing, Fletcher found unexpected solace and purpose through her involvement with The Repair Shop. She credits the programme with helping her through some of her darkest days, describing it as one of the most enjoyable experiences of her career.
Her brother, Steve Fletcher – a horologist and original cast member of the show – played a crucial role in encouraging her to join the team approximately five years after Rob's death. What began as a joking suggestion about leatherwork expertise evolved into a meaningful professional opportunity that provided both creative fulfilment and emotional healing.
Emotional Moments on Camera
Fletcher's personal journey with loss has occasionally surfaced during filming. In one particularly moving episode, she became emotional while restoring a rocking horse that bore a handwritten name, reminding her of her own husband and the universal nature of grief and memory.
The BBC programme, which showcases experts restoring cherished family heirlooms while exploring the personal stories behind each item, continues to resonate with audiences through its blend of craftsmanship and human connection.
The Repair Shop airs weekly on BBC One and is available for streaming on BBC iPlayer, maintaining its position as a comforting staple of British television programming that celebrates preservation, both of objects and of personal histories.
