Ghost expert and exorcist Ian Lawman broke down in tears on The Repair Shop as he revealed the ‘horrific’ truth behind a disfigured doll that has been ‘eating away at him’ for decades.
The ordained Church of England exorcist, 55, who is best known for his shows Most Haunted, I’m Famous And Frightened, and Living With The Dead, revealed on the show’s latest episode that he wanted his late sister’s toy repaired.
He explained that he found the antique hidden in his attic and that his sibling, Denise, was gifted the toy as a child and it believed to have been made over a century ago.
When the spirit guru reflect on his final moments with Denise, the usually stern star fought back tears.
The doll’s condition was in a dire state as the top of his head was cut off, the arm had eroded out of its socket and the general condition had deteriorated over time.
Speaking to repair experts Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch, Ian explained his sister was just ‘months old’ when she received the doll.
Ghost expert and exorcist Ian Lawman broke down in tears as he revealed the ‘horrific’ truth behind a disfigured doll that has been ‘eating away at him’ for decades
The ordained Church of England exorcist, 55, who is best known for his shows Most Haunted, revealed that he wanted his late sister’s toy repaired after finding it hidden in his attic
He said: ‘My sister had learning difficulties; she was loving, caring, an amazing sister. She was generous and kind.’
The presenter was emotional as he shared: ‘Unfortunately, my sister died in a road traffic accident at the age of 24.’
Ian took a deep breathe and continued: ‘Sadly, two days prior, we had a bit of an argument, we never argued, never made up and two days later she was tragically killed.
‘The doll stayed in the bedroom for a few years after, then my parents decided to put it in the loft and I’ve just discovered it.’
Alongside his wife Julie, Ian return to the workshop later in the episode and was shocked to find that the toy have bee n restored to its original design.
It had a full head of hair, fingers and was dressed in similar clothes to the original – the experts also restored its walking function.
After seeing the restored doll, the Most Haunted star was left speechless as his wife gasped: ‘That’s amazing.’
Ian added: ‘She’s got hair, she’s got a dress, very similar to what I remember, she’s got fingers and she’s stood upright. It’s absolutely amazing.’
He explained that his sibling, Denise (pictured left), was gifted the toy as a child and it believed to have been made over a century ago
When the spirit guru reflect on his final moments with Denise, the usually stern star fought back tears
Speaking to repair experts Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch, Ian explained his sister was just ‘months old’ when she received the doll
Alongside his wife Julie, Ian return to the workshop later in the episode and was shocked to find that the toy have been restored to its original design
It had a full head of hair, fingers and was dressed in similar clothes to the original – the experts also restored its walking function
Viewers were also moved by the restoration as one penned on X: ‘How lovely to see another side of Ian Lawman on #therepairshop’
‘The doll symbolises closure for me. My sister and I had a horrific argument before she passed and I never had the chance to apologise, so that’s been eating away at me’, he added.
‘But now the doll’s repaired I just feel that, that chapter’s closed and I can move on.’
Viewers were also moved by the restoration as one penned on X: ‘How lovely to see another side of Ian Lawman on #therepairshop,’; ‘#Therepairshop is emotional the Doll ladies did a brilliant job.’
The Repair Shop sees people bring in their most treasured items to the famous workshop barn to be restored.
The Repair Shop airs Wednesdays on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.
