BBC's The Repair Shop favourite Dominic Chinea has revealed the darker side of social media, prompting him to caution one of his colleagues about the scrutiny that comes with appearing on camera, admitting: "It's not all roses."
The 38-year-old metalwork specialist has been a cornerstone of the BBC programme since 2017, establishing himself as an integral part of the team.
Beyond his television role, he maintains a thriving YouTube channel where he showcases his diverse talents as a set designer, metal fabricator, and vintage car restorer, whilst also presenting the BBC series Make it at Market.
Since rising to prominence as a television personality, the craftsman acknowledges he's had to toughen up against online criticism.
When questioned about the positives and negatives of digital platforms, he revealed on the We Are Makers YouTube channel: "It's been so helpful for me, it's an amazing tool and yes, it's relentless putting videos up every Sunday."
"We do a YouTube video every Sunday [at] 5pm and we've been doing that for two and a bit years now.
"It takes over your life in a way, like, 'What's this video going to be?', but it's give and take, and the community it builds is so helpful."
Dominic continued by explaining how social media helped him discover his first ranalah machine, which has proved invaluable for numerous projects.
However, addressing the negative aspects of maintaining an online presence, the artisan recounted a specific occasion when "many people had a go" at him for choosing not to rebuild the engine on a motorcycle restoration project.
In a candid exchange, the channel's presenter Jack Lennie recalled noticing "comment after comment" beneath the video Dominic had mentioned.
"I will say my skin has got a lot thicker and leathery," the BBC personality jokingly confessed, before adding: "It really is [required]."
Dominic then shared that he had previously prepped his YouTube colleague Jon for potential online criticism and how to handle it when he appeared on camera for the first time.
The star explained: "And anyone new, like Jon, that comes up and helps me, when he first started coming, I was like, I want him to come and help, I've known him for years, and I was like, 'Come down and give me a hand'.
"But it's not all roses, like, you know, there are [comments] and you've got to take it with, not a pinch of salt, but you've just got to not take it to heart."
Tonight, Dominic returns to our screens with his fellow expert and upholsterer Sonnaz Nooranvary, embarking on a fresh endeavour.
The skilled duo will be working their magic on a set of original seats from Arsenal's Highbury stadium, alongside repairing a broken locket from the Second World War, a shop ledger dating back to 1909, and a chapel from a meticulously crafted model village that once graced a Somerset garden.
