Antiques Roadshow star mortified as 'sour-faced' man storms off after valuation

06 August 2023 , 10:42

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Antiques Roadshow star mortified as 'sour-faced' man storms off after valuation

An Antiques Roadshow expert was left mortified when a guest stormed off after their item was valued.

Ceramics expert Will Farmer has worked on the BBC show since 2006. However, after a man rocked up with a green glass bottle, the antiques buff endured one of his most awkward moments in the series.

Explaining the guest bought the bottle from an antique shop, Will said: "It was sold as a very rare 17th-century glass bottle and he said he'd paid £1,000 for it." However, after the expert discussed the item with his colleagues, he then had to break the news the 'antique' was in fact just a glass bottle - and wasn't worth the £1,000 price tag.

An Antiques Roadshow expert was left mortified when a guest stormed off after their item was valued (Birmingham Mail)

Speaking about his conversation with his fellow experts, Will explained: "I said, 'Gentlemen, before I go and make a balls up here, make a fool of myself, what is this?'" He continued: "I had to go back and I remember this poor man's face dropped. He just took it out of my hand, put it in the bag, and walked off," reports The Express.

The much-loved BBC show is a jewell in the broadcaster's crown and Will explained the importance of treating the guests and their items with respect. He shared: "They will have waited four or five hours in the queue and will be there five to ten minutes. That's what they've worked for.You've got to make that person feel like that five, ten minutes has been worth it. And you know what? The majority of things are, obviously of value...some of them can be no value at all or very, very little value."

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While Will's guest was far from pleased with his valuation, another collector was a cock-a-hoop with theirs. Expert Richard Price left a watch owner speechless as he priced up the family heirloom.

The vintage timepiece took Richard by surprise during the Oxfordshire leg of the show. He explained from the start that the genuine vintage Submariners Rolex was set to bring in some serious money.

The guest told Richard: "It was my dad’s watch. He bought it for himself in 1972 when I was seven and me, my mum, my dad and my brother went to Birmingham to buy it. My dad passed away in October and he gave it to me a couple of months before he passed away. It means absolutely everything to me. It’s part of my dad. It’s a very, very special watch that is and it will be forever."

The watch was originally sold for £132 and had been accessorised with multiple different straps over the years to make sure it stays in good condition. As viewers and the guest waited with bated breath for its valuation, Richard revealed it could bring in a whopping £20,000.

Victoria Johns