Latest news with #GeorgeStubbs


Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Millionaire Hoarders is back for a second season with beloved Antiques Roadshow expert 'left in tears' at amazing rare find after taking the helm
Millionaire Hoarders is back for a second season, with a beloved Antiques Roadshow left 'in tears' after making an amazing rare find. The Channel 4 show, which features property experts and antique appraisers looking for lost treasure in furniture crammed homes, mansions and castles, returned to our screens last week after its debut in 2023. And Ronnie Archer-Morgan, known for his work on BBC programme Antiques Roadshow, heads up the season's upcoming second episode, which set for release on Friday. It sees the art and jewellery expert dig through the jam-packed home of Sally from Nottinghamshire, the owner of the UK's only Horse Museum, which showcases her enormous collection of equine paraphernalia. She has enlisted the show's team of experts so she can actually find her treasures to display them - and hopefully find some valuable forgotten items to flog for a bit of much-needed cash to keep the museum going. But Ronnie finds himself on the brink of tears in the episode, as he finds an amazing lost treasure, tucked away unassumingly in Sally's cluttered home, the Express reports. His rummaging reveals a painting by George Stubbs, the celebrated 18th-century English painter, best-known for his portrayals of horses. After Ronnie does some research, the piece, buried in Sally's house for half a century, is found to depict a stout, grey cob horse called Rainbow. Dated to between 1802 and 1804, the artist must have painted it when he was around 80 years old, right before his death in 1806 - an incredible feat which adds to how unique the piece is. But whether Sally feels able to part with the painting to get the funds she needs to keep her museum going remains to be seen in tomorrow's episode. Ronnie was amazed by the find: 'I've just been handling and talking about a Stubbs. 'It's been in my hands; it's a wonderful thing - this is why I love my job. Getting the best price for Sally so she can continue her dream.' He felt emotional: 'Her dedication to her museum brought me to tears. She's so humble and dismissive of any praise for what she's done, but what she's achieved is monumental. 'The volume of material she's collected and the finances she's committed to her museum is amazing.' The expert has been working in the antiques business for 30 years - so knows what it is like to build and develop a collection. He said: 'I know what it takes to put a body of items together and the minute you start collecting, you start to understand an aspect of life that most people have probably never considered. 'I know that journey because I've put so many collections together, so I grasp what they're doing. 'I love these people for putting their life's energy into something which is nearly always for themselves. 'Their collection isn't to show off or grandstand, but is something which they have become impassioned about and they follow that passion through with their life's energy and their money. They commit to something they love.' Ronnie is one of five presenters on the Channel 4 show, along with Paula Sutton, Katie Ridges, Clive Downham and Ed Bailey. It comes after another Antiques Roadshow favourite had her own on-air moment recently. The show's regular presenter Fiona Bruce could not keep a straight face as a 100-year-old guest shared a very cheeky story on the programme about a night with American soldiers. The host of the weekly BBC show got the giggles in Sunday's episode when taking a break from appraising old items from across the country for a segment about World War Two, interviewing former Bletchley Park codebreaker Hazel Halter (pictured at the time) The host of the weekly BBC show got the giggles in Sunday's episode when taking a break from appraising old items from across the country for a segment about World War Two. The special section, ahead of VE Day later this week marking the end of World War Two, saw Fiona interview former Bletchley Park codebreaker Hazel Halter. The Buckinghamshire estate was the home of Allied codebreaking efforts during the all-out European conflict - and most of the personnel there were women. Hazel painted a picture of wartime life at Bletchley Park, where she worked to decode the enemy's messages, an endeavour said to have shortened the war by as much as two years. But despite the serious nature of the conversation, the pair found moments of humour in their conversation, as reported by the Express. The 100-year-old veteran explained there were six female codebreakers who lived together on the estate. They generally kept themselves to themselves, she said, despite coming across other women in the RAF and non-combat positions in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. But they did get chatting to some American men, who would invite the small group of decoders to their dances - which saw Fiona raise her eyebrows: 'That sounds fun.' But they did get chatting to some American men, who would invite the small group of decoders to their dances - which saw Fiona (pictured) raise her eyebrows: 'That sounds fun' Hazel continued: 'They'd form two lines and walk down the middle and they picked out the one they wanted [to dance with]. 'And they presented us with a corsage and a pair of nylons [tights]. We never had nylons before!' But with a twinkle in her eye, the war hero then made a saucy comment about what would happen next: 'So, we used to go to these dances. After that, there were other things they wanted which we weren't prepared to give so...' Fiona could barely contain her chuckles at this, smiling knowingly, 'I get the general idea', to which Hazel cheekily replied, 'I think you do!'


BBC News
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Horse sculptures from George Stubbs trail to be auctioned
Horse sculptures created to celebrate the world-renowned artist George Stubbs are to be auctioned to raise money for life-size statues were created for a trail in Scunthorpe and the surrounding area called Horsing Around, which marked the 300th birthday of the painter and his connection to Horkstow, where he lived. The trail was created by North Lincolnshire Council and the designs involved contributions from schoolchildren and community of the sculptures are due to be auctioned by Potters Auction Saleroom, of Messingham, on 24 and 25 April. Mr Stubbs is considered one of the country's most revered equestrian painters. He completed much of the work for his ground-breaking book, The Anatomy of the Horse, while living in Horkstow Liverpool-born artist also undertook dissections and illustrated many horse carcasses in the proceeds from the online auction will be donated to the Mayor of North Lincolnshire's chosen charity, the Health Tree Foundation, which supports the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation John Davison said: "These sculptures not only capture the spirit of our local heritage, but also offer a unique opportunity for residents and art-lovers to own a piece of history."The sculptures will be available to view in person at Potters Auction Saleroom ahead of the live auction. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.