A BRADFORD man says he has started running his own furniture making classes after appearing as a mentor in a new BBC series filmed in the city.
Saf Fakir, 41, is one of the mentors on Jay's Yorkshire Workshop, presented by The Repair Shop's Jay Blades and filmed in Little Germany.
Mr Fakir, a bespoke furniture maker from Thornbury, says he enjoyed the experience of appearing on the six-part BBC Two series, mentoring Kate, of Tingley, and Jabbar, of Bradford, as they worked together to build six pieces of wooden furniture for deserving people.
In the show members of the public nominate heroes from across Yorkshire to receive a bespoke, handmade piece of wooden furniture to recognise the work they do for their community.
Jay then gives the task of making the items to one of his three experts in the workshop; Ciaran, Isabelle and Saf.
Making the items with the experts are six 'rookie' woodworkers from Bradford, Leeds and Huddersfield, who have all come to the workshop to learn from the experts they are teamed with and working alongside.
The finished articles are then revealed to the recipients inside the Bradford workshop.
Mr Fakir said: "I have started doing my own classes off the back of being on the series. I'm going to be teaching furniture making.
"I have converted one of my two workshops into a lecturing studio. It's a bit of a springboard for that being on this TV show.
"Both Kate and Jabbar text and ring me and ask me for advice.
"Jay's Yorkshire Workshop was a good show to do. I have 20 years of experience of furniture making.
"Half of the tools in the workshop on the show are mine. Most of the machines, like table saws, are mine.
The workshop in Little Germany that was used is a beautiful building
"I'm hoping to do the show again next year. I didn't know how big a deal the show was. We don't know how big this will be for Bradford too.
"The crew asked me the best places to go and film shots for the show. I told them to go to places like Ilkley Moor and Lister Mills. They tapped into my local knowledge."
Mr Fakir also praised show host Jay Blades and says he is still in touch with him after filming took place in April and May this year.
He added: "Jay is an absolute gentleman. He is exactly how he is on TV in real life.
He is always calm. He does not get riled up. He is methodical. He is such a hard worker. He remembers everyone and makes everyone feel good
"He picks you up at the end of the day and is a huge personality. He was a lovely, lovely guy to work with."
Mr Fakir studied industrial design at Keighley College and Huddersfield University before following in his father’s footsteps to become a joiner.
He now specialises in bespoke staircases and furniture, owning and runs his firm; Fakir Woodworks.
Mr Fakir has made furniture for a string of high-profile clients, including England and Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who had a loan spell at Bradford City earlier in his career.
The second episode of Jay's Yorkshire Workshop will be broadcast on BBC Two tomorrow at 9pm.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here