Restoration of Eden Project Exhibit to Air on BBC One

“Dead Cat” Set for TV Comeback at Eden Project

One of the Eden Project’s earliest and most memorable exhibits is set to take centre stage on national television, as engineers attempt to bring it back to life in an upcoming episode of The Repair Shop on the Road.

The episode will air on BBC One at 15:45 on Friday 20th March 2026, during a week of celebrations marking Eden’s 25th anniversary.

A quirky exhibit with a serious message

Created in 2000, the Plant Takeaway, affectionately known as “The Dead Cat”, was one of the Eden Project’s very first exhibits. Designed as a theatrical and thought-provoking display, it explores how dependent humans are on plants.

The exhibit features a kitchen scene filled with everyday items including food, furniture, books and even a family with pets. As the display unfolds, anything made from plants begins to disappear. Eventually, even the mechanical figures are left without their natural fibre clothing, with dramatic consequences.

Originally intended to be temporary, the exhibit proved so popular it remained in the Visitor Centre arrival hall, entertaining visitors for more than 25 years.

Years of wear take their toll

After thousands of performances, the ageing automata began to struggle. With repeated breakdowns and repairs over the years, the exhibit reached a point where a full refurbishment was needed, though there was no guarantee it could be saved.

Andy Jasper, Eden Project CEO, said:
“We’re so grateful to The Repair Shop on the Road team for coming to try and help us restore this exhibit. This iconic exhibit was one of the very first ways we used theatre and storytelling to engage visitors with serious scientific ideas. As we celebrate Eden’s 25th this week, revisiting the Plant Takeaway feels like a wonderful full circle moment. Two decades on, the importance of this exhibit cannot be understated. Its message about our fundamental dependence on plants is as relevant and as urgent as ever.”

A full circle restoration

The original installation was created by a team of specialist engineers and automata makers, Will Jackson, Paul Spooner and Patrick Bond.

Paul Spooner, who moved to Cornwall in 1974 and became a leading figure within Cabaret Mechanical Theatre, developed the concept following early research with a local secondary school. Students came up with the idea of using a comedic kitchen scene to explain human reliance on plants.

Paul said:
“When we first built the Plant Takeaway back in 2000, we were simply trying to make a complex idea approachable and a bit mischievous. A quarter of a century later, the real question has been: can it be restored so that its humour and message may continue to resonate?”

Now, the restoration effort has brought together a new generation of engineers with connections to the original creators. Leading the work is creative engineer Nick Murdoch, director of Murdoch Design, alongside experts from the show including master horologist Steve Fletcher and metalwork specialist Dominic Chinea.

Nick said:
“Taking on the project was both an honour and a huge undertaking. After more than 25 years and nearly a million performances, almost every part needed attention – from restoration and maintenance to ground-up re-design – all while staying true to the heart of the machine.

“Growing up hearing stories about the original team and their ingenious creations, working with Paul and The Repair Shop experts has been incredibly special. The opportunity to hear so many stories of deep connection with it has been profound, such as inspiring careers in engineering and climate activism to resounding childhood memories. I hope it can bring a smile to people’s faces once more and make them think about our dependence on plants and our relationship with nature.”

When to watch

Viewers can find out whether the team succeed by tuning in to BBC One at 15:45 on Friday 20th March, or by catching up on iPlayer. Visitors can also head to the Eden Project to see the results for themselves.