Doncaster man's beloved childhood toy monkey restored on TV's The Repair Shop

Viewers of last night’s show saw Charles Longley take along his ‘cheeky childhood chum’ Midge to be put back together again on the hit BBC One show where a team of crafts experts carefully repair family heirlooms.

And he was left stunned after toy restorers Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch managed to restore his toy to just how he remembered it from back in his childhood.

Visibly choked by the pair’s impressive repairs, he said: “That’s how I remember his face. He’s come up lovely. There’s a sparkle in his eye.

"He means a lot to me. Mum and dad would be so pleased.”

Charles explained that Midge had been in his family for 60 years, starting off life as Charles’ favourite childhood toy.

He said: “He was bought for me in the early 60s and was like my teddy bear. He went everywhere with me – on my shoulders, day trips, holidays and on the end of my bunk bed at home.

"He was my best friend.”

As Charles grew older, he revealed that the stuffed toy then enjoyed a new life – as a mascot on his dad’s stall at Barnsley Market – where he would welcome visitors to the Aladdin’s Cave stall by waving, through a concealed nylon line which raised his arm up and down.

But years of use on the stall, plus childhood wear and tear had left the toy looking battered and past his best – before Julie and Amanda set to work.

The pair carefully removed his fur, restuffed the body and cleaned up his rubber face and paws before installing new arms and stitching him back together.

He added: “He is a big part of my family, with great memories of my mum and dad. We need him to go on.”

"I hope the new Midge will live a long, long time. I waill pass him on to my kids and he will be in the family forever.”

You can watch the episode on BBC iPlayer HERE