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Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC Antiques Roadshow expert stunned as she values priceless Titanic items
On Sunday's episode of the BBC Antiques Roadshow, a brother and sister brought along a letter that was penned by their father who survived the Titanic disaster Antiques Roadshow expert Hilary Kay was left stunned by one guest's tale behind Titanic letters sent by his father, Sidney Daniels, who survived the devastating disaster. At just 18 years old, Sidney worked aboard the vessel as a plate washer when it departed in April 1912 on its maiden journey from Southampton to New York City. During Sunday's episode of the BBC show, which was a repeat, Sidney's son and daughter brought along a letter he had written and revealed their father's remarkable survival tale. Sidney's daughter told Hilary: "It was a Sunday, he was sound asleep, there was a banging and shouting and it was the night watchman. They were all a bit bleary-eyed because at first they thought it was a drill. "It wasn't until he got up on deck, there were hardly any people around at first and then officers came and turned to him and said, 'Go to these cabins'.", reports the Express. She revealed how Sidney had been given the job of rousing sleeping passengers aboard the liner following the collision but it proved no simple feat. "Of course it was hard to wake people, they were asleep. Some reacted in different ways. One or two said 'What does this young man know? He's 18, the boat is unsinkable, we're not going up on deck'," she added. "Others were saying, 'We've got children, they're going to get a chill if they go up on deck'. So he helped the children with the lifejackets and ushered them up on deck." Hilary chimed in: "You can imagine the scene of chaos and despair because people realised there weren't enough lifeboats." Sidney's son replied: "That was his job, to try and get people into the lifeboats and the water was rising all of the time. When all the lifeboats had gone, the water was up around his knees and he thought, 'It's time to go'. "So he dived off the side of the boat, swam away from it, came to a lifebelt and to my dad's mind, it was too close to the boat, he was afraid when the boat went down, the suction would take them down so he said to this chap, 'It's no good here, let's swim away'. "Apparently this chap followed him and they just kept swimming. He said he saw a star in the sky which he thought was his mother and swam towards this star and eventually came to this life raft which was upside down and managed to cling onto that. "When he was on there, he said, 'I'm tired, I want to go to sleep,' and the chap next to him said, 'Don't go to sleep lad, if you do, it will be your last'. "So they sat there singing hymns trying to pass the time away." The pair had brought along a letter which had stayed tucked inside Sidney's uniform pocket when he jumped from the Titanic. Hilary appeared amazed by Sidney's tale as she assessed the treasured items: "It's an extraordinary item and anything related to the Titanic has this extraordinary effect on people. "It is an extraordinary moment to behold something which is so linked into an extraordinary moment in history. We're talking about around £10,000, is the realistic value." Despite the hefty price tag, Sidney's son and daughter declined Hilary's offer, stating their plans for the item. He said: "It's very nice but it's not going out the family", before adding: "It's going to a museum."
Edinburgh Live
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh BBC Antiques Roadshow guest 'staggered' at huge value of damaged item
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An Edinburgh BBC Antiques Roadshow guest was left "staggered" by the value of his damaged Rolex. The owner took his Rolex Sea-Dweller, that was badly scuffed from a near death experience involving a bike, a hill and a punctured lung, to see expert Richard Price while the much-loved show was visiting Edinburgh's Botanic Gardens. In the programme, which aired on Sunday, July 6, he told Price how he was encouraged to buy the top of the line divers watch by his late brother-in-law. He said: "I was aware that Rolex made the best watches. My brother-in-law, who's now passed away, had a Submariner, and he said 'If you're going to buy one, buy the Sea-Dweller.'" Originally bought in 1982 for £483, the watch has sat in a drawer for 30 years and other than a significant scratch on the glass, appears to be in decent condition. The owner continued: "I was out cycling with my daughter and I was going downhill... too fast. Came off and it caught on the gravel. I ended up in hospital for a week with a punctured lung. It survived, so did I." And now, despite the damage, the watch has been valued at £18,000 to £20,000. Reacting to the news, he laughed: "Unbelievable! "Yeah, that's amazing! I'm absolutely staggered." Also featured in the episode was a Marconi Crystal Wireless radio from 1910, a collection of medals belonging to diver Verrall Newman, a unique silver trophy from an 1897 one-mile bicycle race, a botanical sample gathered by none other than Charles Darwin, and a traditional Norwegian bridal brooch. Catch Antiques Roadshow on BBC Two, Sundays at 8.05pm.
Daily Record
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
BBC Antiques Roadshow guest collapses after expert reveals 'ancient' item is fake
BBC Antiques Roadshow's archaeology student guest was left in bits after finding out the truth about their rare find. Antiques Roadshow aired chaotic scenes after one guest collapsed when they were told by a BBC expert that her ancient artefact was actually a fake. The guest was an archaeology student, who had spied the item at a flea market for just £30 after bartering the owner down from £50, explaining they thought it was an ancient death offering used in funerary rituals. Antique expert David Battie gave his own assessment of the so-called 'offering', explaining that on the surface it would date back to the Han Dynasty, the Express reports. Giving it a look over, he said: 'It's a very unusual thing, where did you find it?' The owner replied: 'Unfortunately it wasn't in my family. I found it in a flea market in south east London, a few years ago on a Sunday afternoon. It was among loads of house clearance things and the guy didn't really seem very interested in it. "I'd just finished a part-time archaeology course and I was just really intrigued by it. Because it had sandy earth I presumed it was some sort of funeral offering.' David replied: 'Indeed, these were grave goods. Almost invariably they were buried and having been dug up you get all this wonderful colour building up here. "This is cast bronze and the copper is coming through – that's because of acid attack by the soil. "The thing that worries me is that this would normally be what we call a B disc, the eye, which actually has a hole in the middle.' The expert said the item would have likely have belonged to a 'highly important official' when it was buried with them. However, the real shock came when the guest asked: 'How old is it?' and David answered honestly: 'A couple of years.' The guest could not hide their disappointment as she collapsed onto his shoulder in response to his expert appraisal. Burying her face into him, she exclaimed: 'Oh no! You're joking? Are you joking? Oh no, I'm so upset! I'm really upset. "My life is over. It's like a stab to the heart.' Keen to reassure her, David said: 'I haven't finished yet. Listen, we are looking to the future. "This class of wear is coming from China, they are casting it, they are carving it, because they still can afford the skilled craftsmen to do it. It's a fantastic bit of work. 'This is my prediction for the future. You will not normally hear an expert predicting that a forgery is something to buy, but if you can buy that for £30, go out and buy them! Your children are going to thank you.'
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
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. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Wales Online
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
BBC Antiques Roadshow's Fiona Bruce brilliant reaction to 100-year-old veteran's saucy remark as show marks VE Day with sweet format change
BBC Antiques Roadshow's Fiona Bruce brilliant reaction to 100-year-old veteran's saucy remark as show marks VE Day with sweet format change A one-off special of the BBC show was aired on Sunday to mark 80 years since VE Day Fiona Bruce was amused by the wartime story (Image: (Image: BBC) ) Antiques Roadshow presenter Fiona Bruce shared a light-hearted moment with a 100-year-old Second World War hero who made a cheeky remark. The popular BBC series took a detour from its usual appraisal of unique and rare items to transport viewers back to the era of the Second World War. For the special episode, Antiques Roadshow: VE Day Special, items weren't valued because "to the owners they're priceless". As part of the show, Fiona had the privilege of interviewing former Bletchley Park code-breaker, centenarian Hazel Halter, who shared her experiences from that period. Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire was the primary hub for Allied code-breaking during the war, employing mostly women for this crucial role. But despite the serious nature of their work, they managed to find moments of joy. "So paint a picture for me of what life was like here at Bletchley Park. You've got all the different huts here, what was the atmosphere like?," Fiona asked. "On the whole, there was six of us who kept to ourselves, we lived together." For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . "We'd see other ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service) girls maybe, RAF girls, but we never mixed with them.", reports the Express. Article continues below "You just kept yourselves to yourselves", Fiona added, to which Hazel agreed, before revealing that they occasionally attended dances with young American men. "We did meet Americans at one stage because the Americans used to invite us to their dances." Hazel Halter shared her memories of working at Bletchley Park (Image: (Image: BBC) ) Fiona raised an eyebrow and said: "That sounds fun", as Hazel went on: "And they'd form two lines and walk down the middle and they'd pick out the one they wanted. "What to dance with?" Fiona asked, chuckling when Hazel confirmed. Hazel explained: "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", prompting Fiona to smile knowingly. Fiona replied with a smirk: "I get the general idea", and Hazel quipped: "I think you do!". You can catch up with theAntiques Roadshow: VE Day Special on iPlayer, now. Article continues below
