The Repair Shop's Dominic Chinea opens up on personal struggle away from show

The Repair Shop’s Dominic Chinea has starred on the BBC programme for many years and has seen first-hand how his work has changed lives.

As well as starring alongside Jay Blades, the 38-year-old has also fronted his own show Make It At Market and opened up about the effects of crafting.

Throughout his work, the restoration expert has encountered many different people and helped them restore their treasured belongings to their former glory.

Dominic has also met people inspired by his work who want to get into crafts and saw the positive impact it can have on one's well-being, which he too experienced.

The star shared: “With craft and mental health there’s a real big link, "Mental health is a big thing and craft can help anybody.

“Crafting doesn’t have to be a career. There are so many people whose lives have been affected and saved and changed by doing a craft.

“Lots of people on Make It At Market have been through horrendous things in their lives, then they picked up the craft as a way of dealing with what they’ve gone through, to calm down and relax.”

Speaking to The Mirror, Dominic continued: “It has literally saved their lives. They’re not trying to make millions of pounds from it, it’s just about doing and making something.”

He told the publication that he faced uncertainty over his future after studying graphic design at university and fearing a life in an office behind a desk awaited him.

Similar to co-star Jay Blades, the expert was also diagnosed with dyslexia but he didn't let that struggle stand in his way.

“I’ve got a graphic design degree. I like designing and typography and photography but I very quickly realised I’m quite dyslexic.

“I’m not very good at academic stuff and sitting behind a desk staring at a computer,” Dominic added to the publication.