Will Kirk, a familiar face on The Repair Shop, has captivated viewers for over seven years with his exceptional craftsmanship and gentle demeanour. Despite his growing popularity, the furniture restoration expert has largely kept his personal life out of the public eye, allowing his work to speak for itself.
Since joining the BBC series in 2017, Will has played a key role in transforming cherished heirlooms and family treasures, often moving both the item’s owners and the audience to tears. His talents have been featured in all nine series of the show, including the memorable special episode that welcomed King Charles and earned the programme a prestigious BAFTA award.
Will’s fascination with furniture restoration began in childhood, inspired by watching his grandfather — a carpenter — spend countless hours in his workshop. This early exposure sparked a lifelong passion. Although he initially pursued graphic design at university, Will soon shifted his focus, eventually earning a qualification in Antique Furniture Restoration and Conservation from the London School of Furniture.
The opportunity to join The Repair Shop came about quite unexpectedly. “I’d restored a piece of furniture for someone who happened to work at the production company,” Will explained. “He came to collect it, was very happy with the result, and then asked if he could visit my workshop with a camera and a few beers to chat about restoring furniture and everything else.” That casual conversation marked the beginning of his television journey.
Away from the cameras and chisels, Will leads a more low-key life. He is married to Polly Snowdon, a qualified doctor. The couple’s engagement was first mentioned during an appearance on Lorraine in 2020, where Will jokingly remarked about being kept busy with home improvements. “The lovely fiancée has had me putting up lots of shelves!” he said. Though their original wedding plans for August 2020 were delayed by the Covid pandemic, the couple finally wed in August 2021 — a day Will described as “the best day of my life.”
In March 2022, Will shared joyful news that he and Polly were expecting their first child. He posted a photo of himself holding a mug reading “Papa,” expressing excitement about expanding their family. Their daughter arrived in July of that year, and she’s already inspiring hopes of continuing the family tradition.
During a recent return to Lorraine, Will spoke fondly about his daughter’s potential future in the craft. When asked if she might follow in his footsteps just as he did with his grandfather, he smiled: “It runs in my blood and perhaps my daughter will do the same. She is nearly two.” The host laughed, warning him of the challenges ahead: “Good luck with the terrible twos.” Will responded with humour and optimism, hoping his daughter might grow up to appreciate craftsmanship as she watches her father at work.