Episode 3 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip

-Some of the nation's favourite celebrities...

-Sensational!

-..one antiques expert each...

Look at this, look at this.

..and one big challenge - who can buy the best antiques at the very best prices?

I really have got to win.

And auction them for a big profit further down the road?

Yes!

Who will spot the good investments? Who will listen to advice?

And who will be the first to say, "Do you know who I am?"?

Time to put your mettle to the pedal.

This is the Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, yeah!

Roaring through this Road Trip challenge in a 1939 Jaguar SS

are two fiery dragons who have left their dens for the unfamiliar world of antiques.

- Know anything about antiques? - Not a lot.

I couldn't tell the difference between a Staffordshire piece of pottery and a bull terrier!

But you know what pottery is. I'm not sure I believe you.

Gambling her multi-million-pound business reputation is Dragons' Den's Deborah Meaden,

who got rich from the holiday business. Watch out for that famous on-screen scowl.

I am out.

But really she's human like the rest of us.

-There's a fiver missing.

-I've lost £5! You can't trust me with money!

# Money, money, money... #

Deborah's going head-to-head with fellow Dragon and arch-rival Theo Paphitis,

who made his millions turning round failing companies like Ryman, the stationers.

You have just snatched defeat out of the jaws of victory. I'm out.

But this straight-talking retail magnate is a man who knows his own mind.

-I've told Thomas...

-You want a profit.

-I want a 100% turn.

Now the Dragons are masters in their field, but with antiques they'd be lost without some experts.

So joining them in a Triumph Vitesse are two very responsible helpers!

There's Mark Stacey, veteran valuer and auctioneer with an eye for quality and a confession to make.

I've got a secret crush on Deborah Meaden.

-I'll be putty in her hands!

-This is a turn-up!

And Thomas Plant, also an auctioneer, who loves jewellery and is partial to a bit of bling.

I'm excited, actually. I hope some of their glitter comes off on me and I can make some money for once!

That's not going to happen, Tom.

The Dragons are used to dealing with hundreds of thousands,

but here they've got a new mission - to turn a profit on just £400.

So hang on to your vintage car seats because the Dragons are a-coming!

Their Antiques Road Trip starts in Honiton in Devon and goes through Taunton and up to Dunster,

before finishing up at the auction in Crewkerne, Somerset.

And as luck would have it, this gives Deborah the upper hand as she's a local lass

-and this is her patch.

-I do come to Honiton.

- Why? - For antiques. And the cheese shop.

In fact, Honiton has become a centre for antiques shops and antiquarian books,

but originally it was best known for its lace and glove making.

So it should be a treasure trove, but before a penny can be spent the Dragons need to hook an expert.

Here they are. I can't believe it. They're here.

- I'll race you! - Hold on! I've got traffic here!

-Oh, go, Deborah, go!

-I'm winning. He's trapped in the car.

Dear, oh, dear.

-Hello! I'm Deborah.

-I'm Thomas. Very nice to meet you.

-What are you good at, Mark?

-I'm good at it all. Suddenly, I feel like I'm in the Dragons' Den!

-Do we have to toss a coin?

-No, Mark should go with Deborah. Mark's slightly in love with you.

-We can't possibly deny him!

-He's been going on about you all morning!

-I'm going red now!

-Deborah this, Deborah that!

-You ARE going red! It's a match made in heaven.

-I hope so.

-You two lovebirds go that way...

-Oh, stop it!

-Off you go.

-Come on.

-Let's hold hands.

# Love is in the air... #

Ahh. Sweet.

So, boys and girls, the shops await. What's the game plan?

-Deborah, have you got any ideas about what you would like to find? We've got £400.

-Yes.

-We can buy up to five items and we do want to beat them.

-Oh, absolutely we do!

-No, we're going to.

-I like that.

Well, that's simple enough. Theo?

-I am a magpie.

-So you like shiny things. What else?

Mechanical. I like things that are mechanical.

I even like wind turbines, windmills.

Mm. Windmills. This isn't going to be easy.

-I like that.

-Yeah?

-You're not giving it any love, are you?

-I tell you what, it's not got enough detail.

-It's too basic.

-Nice try, Thomas.

But it sounds like he's a man who knows what he wants.

I thought that looked like something with its original box and of an age,

but it's much younger than it looks.

I like your definiteness about things. I like that.

You had a look - no. Snap.

-I got to charity shops.

-Why?

-Why does a millionaire go to a charity shop?

-Because you want to support the charity?

-Obviously.

-Naturally.

-What else do I go in there for?

-Er...

-I look for one thing only.

-Go on, tell me.

-45s.

-Really?

-Vinyls for my jukebox.

Ah, of course. Records. It's obvious, innit?

I've got that one. Look. Got that. You get these from people's houses?

-The Wurzels! Here we are.

-I Am A Cider Drinker!

- This was a local home, was it? - Somerset.

Put the records down, Theo. This isn't Desert Island Discs.

Thankfully, up the road, our love birds Deborah and Mark are taking things more seriously

-and the talk is all about the opposition.

-You know him quite well.

-Yeah.

-Will he be good at this?

He's definitely a good negotiator. He drives a very hard bargain.

-And he claims not to know anything about antiques, but that doesn't mean anything.

-I'm glad he's with Thomas,

-who doesn't know anything!

-I have so got the best expert!

And maybe, Deborah, Mark has the best Dragon.

-What are you looking at?

-That cross.

-Beautiful.

-Adjustable book stand.

That's how it looks interesting. What do you think?

It's ivory. That's the only thing. I'm not sure I could touch it.

Before plastic was invented, many items like piano keys and cutlery handles

were made of ivory. Even so, Deborah will need convincing that it's fine to buy this book rest.

Anything like that is controversial.

It's fine... It's legal to sell these pieces if they're before 1947.

This certainly is 19th century.

-Try it on a table?

-So it's portable.

-It is, almost. You can have it as low as that.

-Or flat, I guess.

Yes, you can fold that up. Isn't that neat?

-Again, I can see it in my house. I would buy that.

-I can as well.

Right, well, it's £75. So what do you think?

-Are you going to make me an offer?

-I'd love to, but I don't know how rude I can be.

-Could we go to 50?

-I was rather hoping we'd get it for 40. I like working in round numbers.

-So do I.

-Four is Deborah's favourite number. And zero is mine.

-I've just adopted four.

-Is that right?

-If you let us have it for 40, four is definitely my favourite.

-I can't let that go for 40.

-You can't?

-45?

-I think we've got to say yes.

-Yes. It's got a four on the front.

-That's wonderful.

-So with a united front and one in the bag,

Team Meaden head out of town in search of pastures new.

Meanwhile, their rivals are still empty-handed.

And there's not a wind turbine in sight.

So they're also trying their luck in the Grove Antique Shop.

Maybe here Thomas can find something to turn Theo on.

It's not going to be easy.

Good, strong design, that. Very much my type of thing.

How's it going with Theo, Thomas?

Very definite! Likes what he likes. If he doesn't like it, not a chance.

I'm going to suggest a few things and, you never know, he might quite like them.

-There's good things.

-This room's interesting, is it?

-The Arts and Crafts clock is nice.

Still not getting awfully excited.

-I love this Indian table.

-Hm.

-No. It's a bit tense.

-Everything here is absolutely tops, tops, tops.

I'm not giving up just yet, Theo. I'm not going to be beaten.

Oh, dear. He's not keen to put his hand in his pocket, is he?

# Money, money, money Must be funny... #

That's a lot for a print.

# Money, money, money Always sunny... #

-That's what you wanted.

-Silverised bronze Spirit of Ecstasy. Is that a limited edition?

It's new. You can see from the base.

It's a new thing.

And it sounds tinny, doesn't it?

Silvered bronze, Spirit of Ecstasy. That's about as bronze as I am. That's not very old.

-But...

-She's good.

Owners of Rolls-Royces will know exactly what this is.

It's called the Spirit of Ecstasy and a much smaller version sits as a mascot

on the bonnet of every Rolls-Royce.

The image of a woman leaning forwards with her arms outstretched behind her is modelled

on Eleanor Velasco Thornton, secret lover of automobile pioneer Lord Montagu of Beaulieu.

It's the first thing you've picked up and it's grabbed you.

Someone will put that on their desk. It's decorative.

Not at that price they won't! £175?

-Hello.

-Hello. What have we found?

-Come here.

-Someone's made a mistake and put a 1 in front of the 75.

-I don't think that's a mistake.

I think it is a mistake.

-I would like...

-To take the 1 off.

-No, I can't do that.

It seems the dealer's not here, so it's a phone call.

I've got Theo from Dragons' Den. They want you to take the 1 off.

They're prepared to give you 75.

Come on. What's your very best?

Give him here.

-Neil, you're a very, very nice man.

-I think that's a yes.

Would you believe it? The owner's knocked £100 off the price and Theo's found something he likes.

Miracles do happen!

Well, onwards and upwards, Road Trippers.

With Honiton behind them,

Team Paphitis hits the road north-east to Hele near Exeter,

giving the boys some "me" time together.

-Do you think you are a glass half empty or half full?

-I'm always half full. That's the way I am.

-And Deborah's the same?

-Deborah's fabulous.

-Is Duncan the grumpiest?

"Duncan!" He's a nice fella.

He's a nice bloke, does some wonderful things and contributes to this world.

But my God he needs to brighten up.

-Do you meet socially?

-We do all get together.

Myself and Deborah are good friends and I'm sure will remain so.

Friends they may be, but the Dragons are the last thing on Deborah's mind just now.

She's come north to Dunster in Somerset for a spectacular trip down memory lane.

This area holds a load of memories for me. My parents lived in Dunster, my younger sisters went to school

and my older sister got married at the church in Dunster,

so there's a lot of memories I'm about to walk into.

Apart from the church,

this medieval village also has this strange looking yarn market,

erected in 1590, when the village was a centre of clothing production,

for wool traders to shelter from the rain.

But it's not here, it's up there that Deborah and Mark are heading.

-There's the castle.

-Yes.

Dunster Castle, with its eye-catching red sandstone and turrets, has sat high up on the hill

overlooking the town for hundreds of years. It was the home of the Luttrell family

and while all seems peaceful, this belies the drama and turmoil that is etched into its history.

Oh, it's beautiful, isn't it?

Isn't that beautiful?

Martin Harman has agreed to take our team through the highlights.

-Hello there! Welcome. I'm Martin.

-Pleased to meet you.

Throughout its long history, Dunster Castle has been no stranger to sieges.

First the Celts and Vikings, then the forces of King Stephen in 1138

and, most memorably, the Parliamentarians during the English Civil War of 1645.

Upstairs there's still evidence of the castle's royalist roots.

We call this our King Charles bedroom. It's in this room that the future Charles II,

when he was Prince of Wales, a young boy of 15,

came here to drum up support for the royalist cause.

-So the royal person has lain here?

-You can almost see the aura.

-Well, steady on! And did he get the castle to support the monarchy?

-He did. The castle became royalist.

But when Parliamentary forces laid siege to the castle, hope of a royalist victory faded.

Five months later, the castle and its owner, the Luttrells, surrendered

and Cromwell exacted his revenge.

All the walls were demolished, the tower was demolished,

and they were about to demolish the whole building, everything here.

But the Luttrells of the day went up to see Cromwell, swore allegiance to the new parliament,

-which was most important, paid a huge fine of millions...

-In today's money.

-In today's money.

And came back with his letter and they stopped knocking it down.

But the main fortifications had gone and that ended Dunster as a castle.

Its fighting days may have been over, but the castle's place as home for the Luttrells wasn't.

They set about modernising it with stunning results.

-What I'd like to show you in the dining room... Look up at the ceiling.

-Look at that.

That is probably one of the most spectacular ceilings in the country. It was done by Edward Goodge.

He was one of the top craftsmen and it was done in 1681.

-This is carved wood?

-No, it's plaster.

-Plaster!

-It's actually a suspended ceiling.

They were so good, he knew if he put plaster straight onto a ceiling,

the room upstairs would flex the floor and it would crack.

So he built a lower ceiling, put the plasterwork on it and built it all up in layers

-so it doesn't crack.

-Do we know how long it took?

-A year.

-A year?

We have all sorts of little animals and creatures on the ceiling.

We've got lots of pigs. There's even a unicorn. Lots of cherubs.

-Any dragons?

-Unfortunately, no dragons.

-That was nearly a perfect ceiling, but it's incomplete.

The Luttrell family continued to make changes to the castle over the following centuries.

Some even a little self-indulgent.

-It's a particularly unusual room.

-Like a home.

-It is, absolutely.

-But why is that? Why is it so different?

-Because in the 1930s,

Alice Luttrell, the last Lady Luttrell, inherited £400

and she decided to spend it entirely on herself and her room.

So she did this room how she wanted it. Her colours, her furniture. This became her room.

On £400?

-For the same amount that we... she furnished this?

-Everything.

-Everything in this room was £400?!

-I find it such a calm room.

-And intimate somehow.

In a huge castle, to find a little tranquil, intimate room like this is lovely.

In 1976, after 600 years of stewardship,

the Luttrells handed the keys of the castle to the National Trust.

So the family may be long gone, but the history of Dunster Castle lives on.

Now that's all well and lovely, but it's time to get back to reality and build that working relationship.

I cannot tell you the joy of doing what we're doing today with you.

Because normally I've got my husband sitting there going, "One more place, then we're going. One more place."

If I can't walk in and spot the exact thing I want to buy immediately, we leave.

So as this couple head south to the village of Hele in Devon,

for a rendezvous with Fagin's Antiques, rivals Theo and Thomas are already there rooting about.

Frankly, if they can't find something in this massive emporium, I'll eat my hat.

-Rod Stewart, Nana Mouskouri...

-Not records again, Theo(!)

Thomas sure has got his work cut out here.

-Phil Collins! No Jacket Required.

-No, that's it!

Phil Collins, come on. Mention his name and it's over.

-Hello, Chris.

-How are you?

-Very well.

-Hello! Nice to meet you, Chris.

-Where does he get most of his stuff from?

-Burglary.

Burglaries!

-This is quite fun. Is it one of those carousel horses?

-Absolutely. It is, yeah.

Cast iron. It weighs a ton!

It's a good doorstop.

This cast-iron beast may have come from a playground,

but it's more likely to be from a fairground carousel or merry-go-round.

What is this? A painted ostrich egg? Or emu's egg.

"Merry... Merry Natives." Eh?

Oh, yes.

Merry natives. "SA" it says, so that must be South Africa.

It may look fragile, but this painted ostrich egg is as tough as old boots.

Because of its strength and size, it's perfect for the age-old art of egg decoration.

Apparently, one 60,000 years old was found in South Africa, but I don't think this is it.

-It's different, isn't it?

-It is.

-This I think is..

-But I think it's doable.

-I agree with you.

-If I was putting that into one of the general sales, I'd put £30-£50 on it.

-Yeah.

-If we could get it for 30, there's a chance. But that's just come in also, apparently.

-Right.

Again, he's got quite a cheeky face, hasn't he?

-You can have it at cost price.

-Which is?

-40.

-65.

-Oh, no, that's too...

-We like the egg as well.

-We do.

-80 quid for the two.

-No.

-Oh, I thought we had a deal then.

-So...

-Go on, then.

-Do that.

-80 quid?

-Yeah. And you'll double up on it.

-Good man!

-All right? A good cause.

So another two investments in the bag for Team Meaden and a couple of oddities to boot.

Meanwhile, fellow Dragon Theo is upstairs, but he's not happy.

-The other team have found things and are haggling. We, on the other hand, are...

-Faffing?

What about those books?

This is Midsummer Night's Dream. Shakespeare.

-Who's illustrated it?

-Arthur Rackham.

They used to rip all these out and just frame them.

Chris is right. And Arthur Rackham's work is no exception.

He was a Victorian illustrator known for his pen and ink drawings, who famously illustrated classics

like Alice in Wonderland and this, Midsummer Night's Dream.

So what do you think, boys? Worth a punt?

-What can you do this for?

-You can have that for 80 quid and make a profit. Rackham fetches money.

It's the Rackham I'm going for. At £40, I'd be really happy.

-I'll split it with you - 45.

-What do you think? 42.

-45.

-42.

-Aw, listen, he's... I've told Thomas.

-You want profit.

-I want a 100% turn on the money.

No pressure, Thomas.

Peter Pan. That's not Rackham, is it?

-Mother Goose. It's nursery rhymes.

-What, more Arthur Rackham?

Could this help the master plan?

I'll do that for a fiver for you.

Time to pay some cash to this man. 20, 40. And look at this.

-Well done.

-A £5 note.

-Pleasure.

-Thank you very much, sir. Well done.

So after a wobbly start

our celebrities have succeeded in splashing some cash. Now that's worth celebrating!

And, as luck would have it, there's some local scrumpy at hand to end the day with.

-- Here's to the end of a lovely day. - Fabulous day.

-Another one tomorrow!

It's early to rise and the Dragons are on the road again,

crossing the county lines into Somerset. It's Meaden country.

They're Taunton bound and Thomas is still grappling with his Dragon.

Theo is desperate to make money, so anything I show him, he's not interested.

It's got to be big, brassy and showy. And he wants it for nothing.

So I'm quite pleased with our negotiating tactics.

But we need to buy more. I need to buy more.

Yes, you do, Thomas, because you and Theo have only parted with £120

and bought just two lots - the Spirit of Ecstasy

and the Arthur Rackham books. So with £280 left,

there's still work to be done.

Meanwhile, Deborah and Mark have spent £125 on three items -

the ostrich egg, the cast-iron horse head and the ivory folding book rest -

leaving them £275 to trade with.

And Taunton awaits.

This urban centre gets its name from the River Tone and was once known as Tone Town.

It's been the county town of Somerset since 1935 after snatching the title

from Weston-super-Mare.

Likewise, Team Paphitis is keen to get the upper hand in this Dragons challenge.

But thankfully there's one antiques emporium here which has rules against any monkey business.

This is in incredibly good nick. It's a Wilkinson sword.

-I don't know about the dating or...

-It's George V.

-Yeah.

-A good, manly object.

-This dress sword dates from 1910

and would have been used by soldiers on parade.

So, 100 years on, it's no surprise they're still sought after for those formal occasions.

So, at £220, time for the Dragon to cut a deal.

David, what's your best on this one?

-180 would be the best on that.

-Really?

-We'd struggle to get that.

-Yeah, I think...

-If I did 150, that's the absolute... the absolute bottom line.

That seems like a 125 deal to me. At more than 125, I might as well just blow in the wind.

-Oh, he's a hard man.

-Go on, David, 125.

-The other stallholders will crucify me.

-Look at this.

-Good man!

-Well, he's certainly a man who gets what he wants.

Meanwhile, more gentle natured Dragon Deborah and expert Mark

are down the road at the Cider Press meeting up with Norman.

-Do have a good look round and if you want to go into any of the cabinets, help yourself.

-Thanks.

-It is a lovely thing.

-Magnificent thing.

-Oh, yes.

This is called a tig, a three-handled mug.

-It would certainly be £300-£500.

-Oh.

-It is delightful.

-Yeah.

-But I don't think, even with our legendary skills at negotiating...

-He did say, "Help yourself."

I distinctly remember Norman saying that. Norman, cheers!

Thank you.

Er, now what about something a bit more affordable, like that strange-looking bit of silver?

Oh, that, I think, is a wager cup.

They tend to be continental. Normally Dutch.

Silver-plated. Well, loving cup it says here.

In fact, this is known as both a wager cup and a loving cup.

The wager is to drink from the larger cup, the lady's skirt,

whilst balancing the small cup below so you don't spill anything.

And in marriage the bride would drink from the small cup and the groom from the larger one.

Doesn't seem fair really, does it?

-Do you like it?

-I... I do.

-It's interesting.

As we walked past, it caught my eye.

At the moment it's saying £125.

That's a bit of a wager for us.

Boom-boom!

It looks like a little lady's slipper to me.

Oh, how... What is it?

-I don't know. There's something interesting about it.

-It's very, very pretty.

This silver slipper is a wall pocket, a decorative item usually filled with scent or dried flowers

that was an interior design must-have for your wall in the 1940s and '50s.

A must-have then and I sense a must-have now.

-I like this.

-You do?

-More than the wager cup.

Norman, £165?

-Yes...

-How cheeky can we be with you?

I think you can be quite cheeky.

Actually, even better, stop us being cheeky. What's the most amazing thing you can do on that?

As you're honorary members and anybody that's a member of Cider Press gets 20% automatically,

but we are double that for you.

-That's £100.

-100 quid.

-Norman, you've been very generous. I completely get that.

-Yes.

-There's a "but".

-There is a "but" because we really have to make a profit and I really have to win.

-£80. I couldn't do it for any better than that.

-Norman...

-We'll try that.

And the wager cup?

As for you, we'll do it for £50 because we'd like you to win.

I won't kiss you, but I'll shake your hand, Norman.

Wow, £130 for both! Good work, Deborah.

Back down the road, Thomas seems to be bringing Theo round to his way of thinking.

I like it because it's Art Deco, but that's a centrepiece bowl just for a table.

This is what we call opalescent.

And it's £114. Wow!

-Very stylish.

-You wouldn't want to be paying that for it. It's not new, is it?

-No, it's not new, no.

That was a Del Boy moment.

I want to have it for £60, but they're not here.

-I don't know, where's my mate Dave?

-Where's Dave?

-Dave!

Poor old Dave. He's back for another grilling.

Get a phone call on. Say, "There's a handsome young man...and me who are prepared to offer 50 quid for it."

-I don't think that will be acceptable.

-But it's cash.

-Let me see if I can get her on the phone.

The French bowl, £114, you know?

-'114?'

-Yeah.

-'Right.'

Do you want to take £50 cash for it?

-'70?'

-Hang on a minute.

-70?

-It won't work. It just won't work.

-She's sweet, she's having a hard time...

-I know she's lovely and she's a lovely lady.

-Give her £60.

We're meant to be making a profit.

-I tell you what. Can we do it for 50 or not?

-50 quid in my hand, darling.

-'All right, if you can get any more, get it.'

-I'll try.

-Thank you, girl. Love you!

-Bye-bye.

I don't think she loves YOU, Theo.

So with our Dragons replete from the morning shop, they hit the road once more,

this time heading west through scenic Somerset to the small village of Williton,

another one of Deborah's old stamping grounds.

-I have a little bit of history in Williton.

-Yes.

That little cottage there...

-That's the first house I ever owned.

-Gosh!

One room downstairs, two bedrooms upstairs

-and a tiny little bathroom. I had to work blinking hard to keep that going.

-I bet you did.

Well, I'm guessing she's gained a few more bedrooms since then.

So, with the final shop beckoning, it's off round the corner to West Somerset Antiques.

A galvanised bin.

Well, there we are.

-You could probably put an old watering can with it.

-True. Then you've got a collection of garden...

That's 28 as well, a nice watering can.

That sounds perfect for the auction in rural Somerset.

And would you believe it? Outside, there are a couple of old scales for weighing sacks of potatoes.

This could be the seed of an idea.

-They'd make a wonderful feature in the garden.

-I would buy them for my garden.

We've got a vegetable garden and there's something about potato pots in a vegetable garden. I'd buy them.

Bearing in mind we're in my back yard and I have got to win this challenge...

Look at me, this is a pleading Dragon. You do not see a Dragon pleading very often.

When was the last time you saw me plead?

Rarer than hen's teeth, I'd say.

It's got to be worth a considerable... a considerably good deal, surely!

-£45.

-So that's 90 quid, isn't it, for the pair?

-Or would we just go for one?

-Or just go for one?

There's something crazy about them.

-There's something absolutely wacky about them.

-They're high risk.

It's the difference between someone in business and an entrepreneur.

This is the risky side of buying something.

-I wondered whether we shouldn't try, just to be completely wacky...

-Yeah?

-And to really make Tim work for his money...

-Yeah?

What about that galvanised thing and the watering can and making it a little group lot?

A whole little garden collection.

-Sounds great.

-Well, we need a price.

And it's not just the scales they're after

or that galvanised bin

or the watering can.

It turns out they want a sort of agricultural job lot

and that includes this sprinkler and the two augers for drilling holes.

No, they don't do things by halves, these two.

I want Theo Paphitis to think, "You are barking, you are going to make no money on that whatsoever,"

and I want them to go for a lot of money at the auction.

What's your budget and how close can you get?

This seriously is every last penny we've got left

and we'd love to buy them, we want your support,

and we've got left...

£145.

-Go on then.

-Are you sure, Tim?

-Yeah, that's fine.

-Deborah, are you happy with this?

-I'll be happy with it. Tim?

-I'll be happy.

-Promise, Tim?

-Yeah.

-It's a deal.

-Thank you very much.

With the agricultural hoard secure and the money spent,

Deborah and Mark can, well, drive off into the sunset together.

Meanwhile, Thomas and Theo are taking a break from antique shopping

to visit one of Williton's prime tourist attractions -

the Bakelite Museum, which happens to be housed in the town's old water mill.

-Pleased to meet you. Fantastic day.

-Thomas Plant.

-Hello.

-And your name is?

-Patrick Cook.

-Patrick Cook.

-Of the Bakelite Museum.

-Show us what's in here. I'm intrigued.

This museum is packed to the roof with every type of domestic product made from Bakelite.

Wow!

Wow!

An early plastic,

developed by Belgian scientist Leo Baekeland in 1907.

Indeed, the plastic proved so versatile that inventors and designers just leapt on it.

They used it

to make just about every domestic appliance you could think of

from hair-dryers and televisions to telephones and heaters.

And by the 1930s, appliances were mimicking the prevailing Art Deco style.

A lot of streamlined, wonderful objects.

-That piece looks very much like...

-Oh, it's heavy.

Like a satellite or something that should be flying, a bit Dan Dare.

-Absolutely. A bit Dan Dare, a bit "spaceshippy".

-Doesn't that top get hot?

It doesn't get very hot at all.

I remember when I was a student, I used to sit on these.

I did get a huge bill as well because it cost a fortune to run.

And from the ordinary to the extraordinary, nothing escaped the Bakelite treatment.

And this is a rather intriguing device.

As you've recognised, it is a hot-water bottle, a traditional, rubber hot-water bottle.

-No, it's not rubber.

-It isn't.

-It is an electric hot-water bottle.

-It's got a switch.

-Normally with a cable...

-Ah!

-Exactly.

-Do you know that many a person tried to fill it up with water and then they would...

-Die!

-Well, it would be a very lively night.

-So how old is this?

Um, 19... Just post-war, '46, '48.

-It probably...

-It's a good idea.

-Yes, because you could have warmed up the bed before you got in.

-Then took it out. You wouldn't want that in your bed.

-That's exactly what I do every night.

Every night, you warm up your bed with your Bakelite...

-Don't tell me you've got one of these which works!

-I do have, yes. It was a bad winter.

Patrick, what I want to know is, people ask me all the time,

"What's your best investment in the Den? What's your worst investment in the Den?"

-I've asked you those questions.

-You've done all that. That was you.

What I want to know is - what is, in your opinion, the worst ever use of Bakelite?

Yes, you've guessed it.

It was a coffin.

How many of these were made?

Not a lot!

-96.

-96?

How well does it burn?

-Terrible.

-Terrible.

-Bodies decompose underground.

-Yes.

TAPS COFFIN

This will last...?

-An infinity.

-Infinity.

But some Bakelite products weren't quite so long-lasting.

Are these really Bakelite teeth?

Intriguingly, it might be casein which is a variation on the theme.

And in fact, they are every variation of a tooth possible.

So you can imagine everyone has a colour...

And all different shapes. They've all got a number.

-But it's "Breakalite"? It would break?

-Yes.

-But you'd get another one. They don't cost a lot.

-You'd get them from the "Gnashional" Health.

-"Gnashional" Health!

You can see, when you've got a product that's so usable,

joking apart, why people would want to use it and try it for everything.

-Yeah.

-And then some just would not get it.

They may not shake Theo's boat, but even today, Bakelite still has its commercial uses

and for collectors, it remains an iconic part of 20th century design.

-Brilliant. Thank you very much.

-Thank you very much, Patrick.

-Thank you.

-Take care. Bye-bye.

With the day drawing to an end, Theo and Thomas have one more stop to make in Williton

and Theo seems keen to bare his soul.

You know I told you that I am the world's worst loser?

-I think I under-egged it. I'm much worse than that.

-Oh, really?

-Yes. And I've got £105 left.

-Yes.

-And we need to spend it.

I don't want to take any chances.

-No.

-So we need to go and buy at least one, if not two more products that will double that 105 quid.

He's not making it easy, is he?

Why not try West Somerset Antiques? It worked for Mark and Deborah.

But hey, we're talking about Theo here!

-Pleased to meet you.

-Tim, I'm Theo. Pleased to meet you.

-And you.

-How are you?

-Very good.

-We're looking for a bargain of all bargains.

-Have a look round and see what you can find.

-Silver, silver...

-Put your finger on that.

Well, I feel a Theo moment coming on.

I'm struggling. I would have loved to have bought something mechanical, but I'm not seeing anything.

If Deborah was here, she would buy something like this.

This is what she would buy.

Vintage Staffordshire-style dogs.

Nope, she wouldn't.

What would this have been made for?

It's hand-made, I think.

-Copper and brass. It's, um...

-Hand-made.

For what?

It's hot, so it's got to be hot for hot water of some description.

-What would you keep hot?

-Hot water or a tea of some description like a samovar, but it's not that big.

Unless it was going to be a punch, some hot wine.

-Yeah, hot wine, mulled wine?

-Something like that maybe.

-On the cooker?

Guys, let's face it, you don't know.

That copper and brass barrel in the other room with the tap on, what's it for?

I think it's hot water.

Tim doesn't sound so sure either.

It's not going to give us a profit.

Well, not unless it's a really reduced fee.

Well, it's £55, so what are you thinking?

-I like things like that.

-I know you like it. I can see you like it.

-Because it's got uses.

-It's unique as well. You're not going to find another ten of those.

I doubt if you'd find another one, never mind ten.

I want to give you 30 quid for it. That's what I want to give you.

I'd meet you at 35.

I'd be happy at 30, honestly.

-30 works.

-Go on then.

-Oh!

-Go on then.

-What a man! Thank you very much.

The shopping is over, so it's time for our Dragons to reveal their hardware to each other.

Thomas, let the lady loose.

-What is it, Thomas? A reproduction?

-Yes, it is.

-There's nothing old about it.

-No.

-It's aspirational, it's got a good look.

-It's a decorative piece.

-Absolutely.

-It's a big decorative piece. How much did you pay?

-£75.

-That was only £70 too much.

-Oh, listen to this rubbish!

Ooh! So how about the merry-go-round piece?

-Right...

-Cast-iron and painted and we think it's from the 1930s.

It's a big piece, it's a great big piece.

It's showy, a bit like our Spirit of Ecstasy.

-It's that kind of thing.

-Yeah...

I think that's a "no", don't you?

Please pass it over.

I could have this in my bed

or a horse's head. LAUGHTER

-You make the choice.

-No, listen... Theo...

What about the two Rackham illustrated books?

I love the cover. The cover looks like one of those lovely samplers.

-Yeah, absolutely.

-I just adore that.

-It's lovely.

-It's of its period, I love it.

-I would put them in at £50 to £80.

-£45 paid.

You should double your money. It's good to work on a principle - we'll see what happens on the day.

Fair enough. Now, what about this curio?

-Theo, do you like it? Would you buy it?

-I wouldn't buy it.

It just doesn't do it for me. It's just an odd...

I've seen millions of ostrich eggs painted.

It's not your cup of tea and not necessarily our cup of tea,

but a collector might like that.

So can the same be said about the sword?

-What I want you to look at is the quality and the condition of this fine instrument.

-Good condition.

-As I pull the blade...

-Oh, don't slay the dragon just yet!

You'll be fine, you'll be fine. It's pretty blunt.

-So look at that...

-What is it exactly? Is it a dress sword?

-It's a dress sword.

It's in excellent condition, made by Wilkinson. Wilkinson Sword, you remember the...?

-Yeah.

-If you had two like that?

-They're not rare, are they?

-No, you see them in most sales. They have a collectorship appeal.

-Yeah.

-The scabbard is in good condition.

A lot of army officers like to buy the second-hand ones.

-What do you think, Deborah? Do you like it?

-I like it.

You're looking puzzled, boys.

-Theo, what do you think?

-It just doesn't attract me.

-The slipper is very girly.

-I've not seen something like this for a long time.

-The slipper is quite sweet.

-You see wager cups occasionally, but they're not everyday objects.

My prediction is you might scrape the 130 you paid. I don't know if you'll make a profit on those.

We'll see. Thoughts on the opalescent bowl, anybody?

-Pretty.

-Pretty.

-I thought, "I really like the opalescence."

-That's very "me". I love Art Deco.

-I know you like Art Deco.

-It's very "me".

That is pretty and I'd put it in my home.

Again that's the point. If I would buy it, somebody would want to sell it to me.

Fair point. Now, boys, a book rest.

-It's ivory?

-It is ivory.

-It's going to be obviously...

-It's ivory and late 19th century.

The simplicity of the design is actually quite something.

It's antique ivory, but it's ivory.

-So I probably wouldn't have given it time to spend on it...

-OK.

-We did exactly have that discussion.

-We discussed that very idea.

-It was your initial reaction.

-It was absolutely my initial reaction.

-It's lovely. It'll make up for your losses on the cup and the silver.

-That'll do us.

-That will do us.

-The barrel itself is really nicely made.

-It is.

-It's well balanced, it's of nice quality.

-This will appeal to a country market.

-I think so.

-It really will.

If I saw that and it was around about the £30 mark, then I might have been tempted as a punt on it.

We paid...

-£30.

-£30.

-There we are.

-Well done, Mark. Well done.

And now for the ultimate job lot.

-Can I just ask a question? Have you ever picked potatoes?

-No.

Those are instruments of torture in my life. I would never want to see those again.

-Calm down.

-For too long on my father's farm...

-Shall I show you how they work?

-No, don't.

-RATTLING

-That sound, that sound!

-We loved them, didn't we, Deborah?

-I think that is a great collection of garden miscellanea.

So what do they really think about each other's lots? Go on, Theo, let rip!

Their stuff lacks imagination.

I think they're going to lose definitely on the silver.

-They are. That horse's head?

-Lose.

-They've got a lot of risks.

-That's a dangerous game to play at auction.

-It could be classed as reckless.

To me, I wouldn't have touched it if it had been £20,

the Spirit of Ecstasy, because it's a reproduction.

I suspect anybody who looks at it is going to feel disappointed in the way I felt disappointed.

Will Theo's game plan of doubling his money pay off

or will Deborah's potato scales tip the balance? Ha!

It's the final showdown for our fire-breathing celebrities

as the teams head 25 miles east to Lawrences Auctioneers in Crewkerne.

Team Meaden started today's road trip with £400

and spent every penny on five auction lots.

Team Paphitis also started the day with £400 and spent £325 also on five lots.

The auction house is located in Linen Yard in Crewkerne, once a thriving centre for cloth-making.

So with the spirit of entrepreneurship in the air, our Dragons should feel right at home.

The anticipation of it all!

This is the moment. This is the moment! Can you say that word? >

-There's only going to be one result.

-I fancy your chances. It's the sort of place that tat sells really well.

Does that include your stuff too, Theo?

Thankfully, the auctioneer Richard Kay is putting a brave face on things.

The thing that catches my eye is the silvered bronze statue of the Spirit of Ecstasy.

And I think that's a very stylish piece of 1930s artwork.

The most bizarre item, I think, in the sale

is this painted, cast-iron head for a seesaw, possibly from a fairground.

It's got great novelty appeal, it's eye-catching and it could make £60 or £70 or so.

So there's all to play for.

The Dragons are used to calling the shots, but now the tables have turned.

Who's going to be in and who's going to be out of this Dragons' Den?

Let the bidders decide.

First up, at the starting gates, the horse's head.

- It'll either not sell at all... - Is there much value in scrap?

- It's not scrap. - You bought it by weight?

It's a decorative antique.

-I'm bid £40 here. £40 I have.

-Come on.

45. 50. 55.

Are you bidding? 60. 65.

70. No? £70 seated. 75...

No, £75, the gentleman's bid, standing.

I'm selling at 75. Are we done at £75...?

-80 just in time.

-Oh, 80.

-85. 90.

-Yes!

-I don't believe it!

-Come on.

-95? £95, the gentleman standing.

-At £95 and I'm selling.

-One more!

-Last time...

Yes! I'm sorry.

LAUGHTER So we were a bit excited then?

Well, it's a galloping start for Deborah.

But can Theo really double his money

on the Spirit of Ecstasy?

The bids start me here at £60 on this one. 65. 70. 5.

80. 5. 90. 5. 100.

And 10 now. At £110.

120, new bidder. 130.

140. 150.

It's 150. Standing at £150

and I'm selling at £150 now, last time...

Well, who'd have thought it?

-Yes!

-Doubled money.

-Doubled our money.

Next, the wager cup and silver wall pocket.

This is the risky one.

The bids start me on this at £60.

-That's not good, is it?

-No.

£60 is bid. 65. 70. 5. 80.

5. 90. 5. 100.

And 10. 120. No, it's 120 nearer the door.

-Come on, a bit more.

-I'm selling at £120 for the last time...

That's a bit disappointing.

-But it could have been worse.

-It could have been worse.

Oh, dear. Oh, dear.

Next, the Art Deco bowl

and another test for the Theo game plan.

The bids start me here at £30.

£30. 35. 40.

45. 50.

55 now. At £55.

- At 55. I'm selling at £55... - Oh, come on!

-It's a profit.

-Yes, but hardly the double you wanted.

Still, it gives Theo a £45 lead.

Time for a fightback, Deborah, and it's down to the ostrich egg.

I'm bid £30 for this. £30.

35. 40. 45. 50.

-55 and I'm out.

-55. We paid 30.

-55 now.

To my right and I'm selling at 55. Any more?

It's 55. For the last time at £55... Thank you.

-You made a profit on that.

-Nearly doubled it - £25 profit.

But Mark, that's Theo's plan. Get your own!

Still ahead in the competition, the sword could deliver the fatal blow.

Oh, this could be bloody!

£80 starts me here.

£80 I have. 85. 90. 5. 100.

110 and I'm out. It's £110.

-I'm selling in the room at 110.

-More, more!

Are we done at £110...?

-Oh, Theo, sorry about that.

-We went down...

-Sorry about that.

A loss, by Jove, but only a flesh wound.

That puts the Dragons virtually neck and neck,

so can the controversial ivory book rest tip the scales for Deborah?

The bids start me here at £60 on this one. £60 is bid.

At £60...

65. 70. 75. 80.

85 now. To my right, I'm selling at £85.

At 85, the bid's in the room

and I'm selling at £85. Last time at 85...

-That's disappointing.

-What do you mean, it's disappointing?

-You paid 45 for it.

-It should have made more.

A profit catapulting Team Meaden into the lead!

The boys will need a prayer to get out of this one.

The book of A Midsummer Night's Dream

and also a nursery rhymes book. The bids start me here at £20.

-Illustrated by Rackham.

-And written by somebody called Shakespeare.

-I know.

-The less important part(!)

-Well, you know...

£20 I'm bid for it.

£20 I'm bid. £20 I have.

-It's on commission at 20.

-No, more!

At £20 and I'm selling if you're all done in the room? Last time, £20.

You see, you put them off, you put them off!

- That'll teach you. - That's a disaster.

Oh, disaster!

This Dragon's on his knees.

So can Deborah snatch victory

with her agricultural bits and pieces?

I'm bid £110.

120. 130. 140. 150.

160. 170. 180.

190. No, 190, lady's bid by the pillar.

Selling at £190... At 190.

200. 210.

-220.

-Yes!

-230.

-What?!

-Yes!

-One more!

-240...

No, lady's bid seated at £240 and I'm selling.

For the last time at 240... Thank you very much.

Deborah...

Hold the celebrations. Theo's got one more offer up his sleeve,

but he needs to make £166 to win.

I'm bid £20 on this. £20 I have.

-More, more!

-At £20, at £20. It's on commission.

An absentee bidder at £20 and I'm selling. Are you all done?

£20. For the last time then at £20...

Oh, no, it's a wash-out for Theo's plan,

but a victory for Deborah.

It was a jolly good effort, Mr Paphitis.

-If only you kept more money in your pocket.

-Congratulations, Deborah. Congratulations.

-Well done.

So both teams started today's road trip with a £400 budget.

After paying auction costs,

Theo and Thomas have lost £33.90,

giving them £366.10 at the finishing line.

Deborah and Mark had a late surge,

making a valuable £87.90 profit after auction costs,

crossing the finishing line with a winning £487.90.

Well done, everyone, and all the money our celebrities and experts raise will go to Children In Need.

Deborah, if I had to lose to somebody, I wish it wasn't you!

Theo, if I had to win to somebody, I'm so glad it was you!

-LAUGHTER

-Yes!

So another Antiques Road Trip draws to a close and our Dragons can return to their Den,

Deborah having vanquished her foe and Theo with this tail between his legs.

Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd 2011

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