The Speedshop

The series opener sees Titch and the team design a sidecar for Titch’s friend and former colleague Toby (see pic below and our main picture) who was shot while on ops in Afghanistan in 2009 and was paralysed from the neck down. He relies on a ventilator but dreams of getting back on a motorbike. “We kept hearing that it couldn’t be done,” says Titch, “so to get there eventually was absolutely amazing. One of my favourite moments in the series was taking Toby out in the sidecar and seeing the look on his face. He could feel the wind in his hair and it’s given him back some kind of freedom.” We also see Titch challenge Billy and John to see who can make the best electric bike powered by an electric drill, then it’s a high-stakes race to see which performs best.

As a tribute to his late grandad, Titch builds a vintage custom motorbike, which he then rides over the same D-Day beach where his grandfather landed during WWII. “That was something I’d always wanted to do,” says Titch. “It was a learning curve for me. It was humbling, poignant and immense.” Back at home, the team also help restore an AC Cobra for its owner who has been ill with cancer.