Antiques Roadshow's Fiona Bruce left amused by 100-year-old war hero's saucy remark about soldiers
BBC Antiques Roadshow viewers were taken back to WW2 for a special episode ahead of VE day where Fiona Bruce chatted with 100-year-old Bletchley Park codebreaker Hazel Halter about her memories of the past.
Antiques Roadshow host Fiona Bruce shared a light-hearted exchange with a 100-year-old WW2 hero who made a saucy comment about her night with some American soldiers. The hit BBC programme took a break from its usual evaluation of unique and rare antique items to take viewers back to the era of the second World War ahead of VE day on May 8.
Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire was the main hub for Allied-code breaking efforts, an endeavour said to have shortened the war by as much as two years with mostly women being hired to take on this important role. For the special episode, Fiona was given the opportunity to interview former Bletchley Park code-breaker, centenarian Hazel Halter, who shared her experiences from her past work.
Despite the serious nature of their conversation, the two women still managed to find moments of humour. Host Fiona asked: "So paint a picture for me of what life was like here at Bletchley Park".
Hazel explained there were six female codebreakers who lived on the estate together. She recalled: "We'd see other ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service) girls maybe, RAF girls, but we never mixed with them."
Fiona questioned: "You just kept yourselves to yourselves?" Hazel agreed, before revealing how they would sometimes attend dances hosted by young American men.
Raising an eyebrow, Fiona responded: "That sounds fun".
With a twinkle in her eye, Hazel explained: "And they'd form two lines and walk down the middle and they'd pick out the one they wanted.
"Then they'd present us with a corsage and a pair of nylons [tights]. We'd never had nylons before!
'So we used to go to these dances. After that, there were other things they wanted which we weren't prepared to give".
Struggling to contain her laughter, an amused Fiona said: 'I get the general idea', as Hazel cheekily replied: 'I think you do!'
The special episode follows another entertaining incident on Antiques Roadshow last week which saw a shocked guest clasp her hand over her mouth when she found out the staggering value of a 'broken' charity shop brooch she had picked up for £2.50.
Sunday's instalment of the BBC show saw expert Susan Rumfitt evaluate the accessory. The guest explained she had found it in a charity shop but hadn't worn it due to the broken clasp.
When she took it to a repair shop, she asked jewellers if it was 'worth anything'. She recalled the shop keeper's reply: "'Not really but if you're selling it I'll buy it for £50".
She added: "I thought if he wants to buy it for £50, it's probably worth a little bit more.'"
Expert Susan explained the true value, saying: "The style of this brooch really does show a lot of hidden meaning within it.
"So, you've got sapphires, the blue stones which represent devotion in the language of gemstones and diamonds represent everlasting eternal love, so you've got a very devotional and romantic piece of jewellery."
The antiques guru added how the gold and silver mounts were 'two entwined hearts' and could have been given as a 'marriage gift'.
She estimated that the brooch dated back to 1870 and estimated it would be worth between £2,000 and £3,000.
The guest was left gobsmacked as she exclaimed: "Oh my goodness" and clasped her hand over her mouth.
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