Episode 2 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip

-The UK's favourite celebrities...

-Just thought I'd touch BASS.

..paired up with an expert.

Boo!

And a classic car.

No hands!

Their mission - to scour Britain for antiques.

My office... Now!

The aim - to make the biggest profit at auction.

But it's no easy ride.

GEARS CRUNCH Who will find a hidden gem?

-HONK!

-Like that.

Who will take the biggest risk?

This could end in disaster.

Will anybody follow expert advice?

-But I love this!

-Why would you buy something you won't use?

There will be worthy winners and valiant losers.

No, I don't want to shake hands!

Put your pedal to the metal.

Let me get out of first gear.

This is the Celebrity Antiques Road Trip.

Yeah!

Hold on to your hats.

Today's show features a couple of likely lads from Liverpool.

Actors Ricky Tomlinson and Mickey Starke.

We'll probably stumble on a Picasso or something,

-like that, you know.

-But it'll probably...

It'll only be an old one!

Yeah! It'll probably be a Picasso pottery jar or something like that.

-That'll do!

-In his clay period.

THEY LAUGH You never know, chaps.

The fellas have been bezzie mates for 40 years,

and became household names in the hit '80s soap, Brookside.

Working-class hero Ricky has starred in many roles over the years,

but is renowned for his portrayal of sofa sloth Jim Royle

in The Royle Family.

Mickey is a popular and versatile actor.

His long career includes

appearing in hit soaps such as Coronation Street.

They each have a big bag of readies, a sum of £400.

If you find an old ear anywhere, it could belong to Van Gogh!

I believe Van Gogh's ear is now worth more than his paintings.

So I've heard.

Boom, boom!

Today's experts are our gorgeously fabulous Margie Cooper

and Catherine Southon.

Think they are good mates, aren't they, Mickey and Ricky?

Mickey and Ricky, it sounds like two budgerigars!

I used to have a budgie called Ricky.

-You had a budgie called Ricky?

-I did, yeah.

Used to say, "Who's a little beauty?"

He spoke, he was brilliant, was Ricky.

-How can you have...

-That was just a by-the-by.

How can you have a budgie and call it Ricky?

-Yeah, it's called Ricky.

-Ricky!

-You didn't have another one called Mickey?

-No, I didn't.

Budgerigars?

HE LAUGHS

Our gal pals have the scrumptious 1976 Triumph Stag.

I just remember Jim sitting on that sofa, being all kind of like there.

And watching the telly, he goes, "All right, Barb?

"All right, Barb?"

"Go on, Barb!"

"Hiya, Barb," you're right. She was called Barbara, wasn't she?

-Barb, "Here you are, Barb."

-"Here y'are!"

-That's about as far as it goes!

-Is that it?

Blimey!

Is there any hint of rivalry

in the 1965 Daimler, friendly or otherwise?

This is a competition here now, to see who can make the most money.

-Yeah.

-Because I'm desperate to win, because in real life,

you've got far more money than me.

-Well...

-Far more money than me, from what I've heard.

It goes without saying. Yeah, but mine's all in property.

It's buried in the garden.

Ha-ha!

Kicking off in Knutsford,

our teams will road trip through Cheshire and Merseyside

before heading to the West Midlands for an auction in Stourbridge.

Looks like the girls are fashionably late.

If you don't hurry up, all the bargains will be gone, lad.

Hey, it's a good job we're not waiting to get married.

-Too right!

-No, they'll be here in a minute.

Yeah, I'm sure they will.

-Ah!

-Oh, I love it.

Arriving in style.

Hello, you're just in time.

Just... Just in time!

-Morning.

-Good morning!

Mickey's coupling up with Margie and Ricky with Catherine.

-I am.

-Are you ready for the fray?

I certainly... Oh, it's a race!

Right, come on. No time for niceties.

Here we go, the race is on.

Blimey, they're eager. Right, the clock's ticking, you lot.

Let's begin with Ricky and Catherine.

So, this is the start of our journey now, kid.

It all begins now, kid.

So, we've got to go out with all guns blazing.

We've got to win, it's imperative.

-Really?

-It's imperative because otherwise,

that'll be the talk of Liverpool, that I was beaten by Mickey Starke.

Oh, we like a bit of passion, Ricky.

Where are the other two?

Hang on, what's going on here?

Do you have any knowledge of roofs on Stag cars?

No, but I'm willing to learn, Margie.

That's the spirit, Mickey.

Seat forward.

-Ah!

-Give it a pull.

-Oh, marvellous!

-Ahhh!

We've done it.

Nifty work, you two.

We're away!

Watch out, this lot are sharing their first shop.

They're all heading to the town of Knutsford in Cheshire.

They hold endurance races for Penny Farthing bicycles here,

don't you know?

First to get stuck in this morning is a super determined Ricky.

Very posh, very posh!

I'm not sure we've got this much money.

Knutsford Antiques Centre has been trading for over 20 years.

Looks just the ticket for our rummaging antiquers.

Lizzie is in charge today.

-Right, what do we want, Ricky? What are we looking for?

-Bargains.

-Bargains!

-We're looking for bargains.

I'm sure that lady, she's got a nice, kind face.

-Has she?

-I'm sure she'll be gentle with me.

Here's hoping!

-That's all been relined, though.

-Hmm.

Oh, isn't that lovely?

I love that.

6,500.

What you got?

19th-century French ormolu.

OK, so this is all ormolu, it's gilded bronze, basically.

Then you've got a painted scene on the front.

So it's trying to be like a Sevres style.

19th-century Sevres porcelain was renowned for

its rich palette of colours.

I don't know, what do you think about the scene on the front?

-Do you like it?

-Well, it's romantic and that puts me in the mood.

-Oh!

-Do you know what I mean?

Crumbs!

But I think it's trying to be an early French, 19th-century,

good high quality, but it's actually a copy.

Um, I don't think it's particularly well done.

Regardless, Ricky really likes the look of it.

-I just like that.

-Do you?

Yeah, it's, er...

-What, the colours?

-No, just, like, everything about it.

It's just...

To the untrained eye, obviously it's to the untrained eye, isn't it?

I think if you look at it from a distance,

you can see exactly what they're doing.

I think if it was the right price, it's all about price, isn't it?

-If you can get a few quid knocked off.

-Yeah.

It's priced at £55.

Time to talk to Lizzie.

Now, listen, I don't know whether to go down on bended knee here.

I'm looking for the best deal I can get with this.

-Best offer today!

-I just like it.

So, it doesn't matter to me whether it's worth £1 million or whatever,

I just like it, and...

What can I have it for?

Well, we usually say 10%.

But I'm a big fan of yours.

-Good, good.

-So, we'll go down to 40?

-I think we'll have that.

-Do you think?

-Yes, I'm having that.

-Cor, you're well off the mark!

I love it, I don't care if I'm off the mark. I like it.

He doesn't hang about, does he?

Wrap that up for me, please, kid.

I'm made up with that, £40 I've got that for.

That is a bit of a bargain. You're good at this.

-I'm in with a chance there.

-You can come again!

-Absolutely.

Right, what's next?

Meanwhile, look who's arrived.

Let's hope they're not here.

Now, better late than never.

Just take your time, you two.

Shall we go and see what else we can find?

Oh!

-Ah!

-Our friends.

-Oh, hello!

-Better late than never.

I'm afraid...the two bargains on display today have gone.

They've gone today.

-We've done it.

-Lizzie, have nothing to do with these two, Liz.

-Have you bought already?

-Only a couple of little items.

Are you not saying?

-They'll raise about five grand each.

-Is that all?

-Oh, aye, yeah.

Blimey, let's break up the scrum and stick with Mickey and Margie.

-Ah.

-Yeah, I like that.

Four faces of Buddha.

-That's right.

-Is that a good thing?

We turned that one down.

See, I've spotted that there, the little powder flask with the dog on.

You know me with dogs, I love dogs.

You love dogs, don't you?

You get it out, you know how clumsy I am.

If it's got no dents...

-Sorry!

-Oh, crikey!

Ricky! Careful, that was close.

-It is nice, that, isn't it?

-That's really nice.

Powder flasks were an essential accessory to firearms

until the 19th century when loaded cartridges became commonplace.

I think that's stunning.

-Have a little go at that.

-I think we've got to.

What's that, £55?

I would buy that at 55, I think it's gorgeous.

-See if we can get it a bit cheaper.

-Absolutely.

-I'll put my best voice on.

-Go on.

Excuse me, madam. I'm a visitor to these parts.

I'm sure you can knock a couple of quid off that for me, can't you?

Er... 55, so...

..I'll do the same. I'll go to 40.

Ooh!

-Job done.

-Yeah, happy with that?

-Thank you very much.

-You're welcome.

Lovely, lovely. I'm made up with that.

Right, we're on a roll!

Crikey, Ricky doesn't hang about.

First shop, two antiques, bought for a total of £80.

It would be rude to gloat, hey, Ricky?

Anyway, so that's it, we're all done.

-How about you, finished?

-Well, we're still looking.

We've got our eye on a couple of things.

Still looking? You only have five minutes left!

Don't panic us, don't panic us.

-Are you coming out?

-Well, no.

No, you need the time.

They're up to something, Margie. Let's go and get...

-Go on. Hop it.

-We know.

-Yeah.

-They've got nothing!

-They've got nowt.

-Nothing.

-Nothing, no hope.

-No hope.

No life! No nothing.

Charming!

Come on, kid, let's have a look upstairs.

-That's interesting, isn't it?

-Yeah, it is.

"Persons throwing stones at the Telegraphs will be prosecuted."

Oh, I like that. I remember those.

-They were old when I was a kid, to be fair.

-I don't remember those.

-So, for naughty boys?

-Yeah!

Let's get a better look, shall we?

-People do buy these things.

-Do they really?

Or am I making a huge mistake?

-No!

-Let's have a look. Oh, yeah, it's cast, isn't it?

Oh, yeah, it's cast-iron.

Yes, somebody's... You know, touched it up.

-Oh, repainted.

-It's been painted and touched up but, I mean, come on!

It's probably 70 years old.

-Yeah.

-Isn't it?

-How much is that, then?

-45?

-45.

-Yeah, that's...

What's the best price on that?

-Um...

-Ten?

We'll go to 30?

-Hmm.

-What do we think?

That's very fair, to knock it down that much.

It is, actually, isn't it?

And I've just got 25 in my hand.

Oh, yeah, so have I.

-What do you think, Liz?

-That'll do.

Deal, thank you so much.

-Thank you very much.

-Oh, we're up and running.

Right, come on, that's us done.

Well done, Mickey. £25 for the railway sign.

30, £30.

Thank you.

And thanks very much indeed. Thanks.

See you again. Bye-bye.

-OK!

-This is our Faberge egg.

Not so sure about that, but a great start, Mickey.

Can I...? I know we've sort of finished.

But can I just have a quick...?

But hang on a minute, I thought they'd left.

-Give you your...

-Yeah, don't think she likes that.

Now, what's this she's spied?

It just caught my eye.

I think that the lawn mower in particular,

because it's really brightly painted. Is it not your sort of thing?

Yeah, it's great.

Time for a closer inspection.

-Meccano.

-Oh!

Meccano.

Now, I don't know how rare they are or anything.

Meccano were the biggest British toy manufacturers in the '20s and '30s.

This firm also produced Hornby Trains and Dinky Toys.

I just think they're a bit of fun, aren't they?

-Yeah, let's take them.

-The little Dinky... I don't know how red,

I don't like the wheelbarrow so much that I love the roller.

So do I, I love them all.

-Yeah?

-They're great, them.

-What's on these?

37 for the three.

-WHISPERS:

-Not bad.

I'm sure she'll be very gentle with us.

Would you do sort of 20-ish?

Could go up to 25, I could meet you in the middle, go to 25?

-Yeah.

-Yeah?

-Yes!

-Happy with that?

-Absolutely.

If it goes wrong, you know who to blame.

This extra purchase means they've spent £105 in their first shop.

Lizzie, you're very kind. Thank you so much, thank you.

-Thanks a lot, Liz.

-Really appreciate it.

-Thank you!

-Three items!

-There you go, kid.

-We are on a roll.

These could make £1 million at the right time at the right place.

I don't think so.

I'll settle for half a million, come on.

-I don't think so. Let's go. Thanks, kid!

-Thank you.

-Cheers, bye.

Let's leave Ricky and Catherine

and catch up with Mickey and Margie in the Stag.

It's driving very nicely, isn't it?

Oh, it drives like a dream.

A friend of mine had one of these when we were lads.

He took me for a spin and I've had a slight love affair with them

-ever since.

-Aw!

-Yeah.

What Mickey doesn't know is he's pointed the Stag

to an area which built its fortune on salt.

Mickey and Margie have powered their way to the Cheshire village

of Marston to learn a little bit of local history.

Salt has always been an essential ingredient for human survival

and its availability has been pivotal to civilisation.

Our pair are visiting Lion Salt Works, built in 1894.

It's the only remaining open pan saltworks in the UK

and one of only four in the entire world.

Museum and arts manager Catherine West is going to tell us more.

I'm Michael Stark, nice to meet you.

Hello. I'm Margie.

I'm Catherine. Shall we take a look and find out about salt in Cheshire?

-After you.

-Thank you.

Cheshire is renowned for salt production

and the salt beds here are 220 million years old.

Rainwater percolates through 150 feet,

dissolving the rock salt as it goes, making salty water known as brine.

So, take us through the process. How is it produced?

Well, we'd have the brine running across on top of the salt.

And so actually they would pump that brine out.

And then it would be brought and it would be boiled.

So in a massive pan, but it would be about the size of a tennis court.

And so that would be heated right up so then it would be boiled,

then that salt would be kind of skimmed off

and we put it in big blocks of salt.

Then it would be dried, potentially crushed or cut,

depending on what kind of salt that we were looking for.

How long have they been producing salt here?

Believe it or not, this method of salt-making

actually dates back to Roman times.

Here in Cheshire where we are today,

there are large deposits of salt

and the Romans discovered that we have these natural brine pools

and that by boiling, we can produce salt.

The Romans were even paid in salt, weren't they?

-Oh, you know your stuff. Absolutely.

-Oh, yeah!

The Romans understood the benefits of salt.

As explorers, it was essential for preserving foods

and therefore their ultimate survival.

A Roman soldier's salary would be cut

if he was not worth his weight in salt.

Certainly, in Liverpool,

salt was one of the founding industries, really,

and that's why we have the salt dock next to Albert Dock,

to make sure that we could make the most of

getting that salt out across the world.

So the Trent and Mersey Canal, Weaver Navigation,

that was all a big part of making sure we had that transport

to get that salt around the world.

Cheshire salt was of high quality

and didn't deteriorate in warmer climates.

It would be shipped as far as Canada and America,

West Africa and India, New Zealand and Australia.

The men labouring here worked topless due to the intense heat.

They'd lose up to 12 pounds in sweat a day

due to the high temperature of the salt pans.

It sounds like a lot of hard work, doesn't it?

What sort of hours would they work

and what kind of dangers would they face?

Well, yes, for the workers, in this kind of atmosphere,

probably 12 hour days.

I mean, if you can imagine how hot it must have been as well,

and actually quite dangerous,

because the pans were heating up to be very hot.

And you were then trying to skim that off.

So it was quite a difficult environment to work in at the time.

Lion Salt Works not only produced salt for worldwide export -

in its heyday, Cheshire was responsible for 86%

of all salt supply in the country.

However, in 1986, the factory closed,

unable to compete with cheaper salt production works

established elsewhere in the world.

Catherine, thank you so much. It's been brilliant.

-We'll go and have a look through the museum.

-Great.

Back to Ricky and Catherine.

How did you get to meet Mickey?

I was compering a club a million years ago

and Mickey came with a band.

He was the front man of a band.

He was talking to me and I got... I said, "Are you in Equity?"

And he went, "No." And I said, "I think you should join."

He joined Equity and the next thing,

he's acting and he got into Brookside

and then he was in Coronation Street.

We're off to the Cheshire town of Frodsham.

The Beatles played one of their first gigs

in this town, don't you know?

This is us, then.

-Shop number two.

-This is us.

Are you ready? To rock and roll?

Hampton Village And Antiques Emporium

is bursting at the seams with stock.

Guitar? Headphones?

What do you think?

Shall we go and meet the man that does the deals?

-Yeah.

-He's the best person to meet.

Who's the man that does the deals?

I think that might be me, Rick.

I hope you're in a good mood today!

I'm looking for a bargain here today.

-Catherine. Hi.

-Nice to see you.

Thank you very much for having us here.

They've got £295 to spend.

Who's that? Who is it?

-I don't know.

-Who is he?

I think it's Schnozzle Durante.

-Yeah.

-Is it?

-Jimmy Durante.

-Jimmy Durante.

-There you go.

Jimmy Durante was one of America's most popular personalities

from the 1920s through to the 1970s.

What a hooter!

# But that was long ago... #

I think it's horrible.

It is horrible, but it's unique.

I mean...

It's a collectors item, isn't it?

Well, it is, it's a collectable.

But who wants those, though?

A collector. A collector!

Obviously.

Our Catherine hasn't heard of old Schnozzle Durante.

Tell us more, Ricky.

So, who is this Jimmy...?

Jimmy Durante was a big star in vaudeville in the States

and he used to play the piano,

and his name was Jimmy Durante, but because he had this real big hooter,

they called him Schnozzle.

And it's sort of, in a way,

it's a sort of a homage to him because he was that big of a star.

Well, then, we've got to get it.

I think we should get it.

-We should get it, yeah.

-Go on, kid.

Even if we lose £47.

We should get it.

Oh, Dave?

I don't think I'm the only one who hasn't...

Have you heard of this, whatever his name his, Durante?

Jimmy Durante, yes.

-He was a big star.

-Well, I've never heard of him.

A big star. Well, you never went to the pictures when you were a kid,

-did you?

-You're too young.

She's too young.

-Would you mind if I...

-This is supposed to be about antiques

and she doesn't know anyone over 35!

Let's get Jimmy out of his cabinet.

-So, come on, then. What can you do?

-Right, well...

There's £40 on the ticket.

It's cheap at that price, Catherine.

I don't think so!

Go on. The best price I can do it, £20.

-Sold!

-THEY LAUGH

Well done. Cheers, kid.

Sold!

What can I say? I mean...

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

I'd love to say that I'm really happy and I love this, but...

By Jiminy, Ricky's a swift buyer.

£20 for the Royal Doulton Jimmy Durante mug.

What's the mood in the cars, then?

The problem Ricky's going to have is he thinks the budget...

He'll think it's his money.

-Ahh!

-So we'll have to be very careful.

-So he'll be shrewd.

-Oh, he will be shrewd.

Yeah. And he's competitive.

-Is he now?

-Oh, yes. Yes.

No, I am bothered about winning.

-Really?

-Oh, yeah.

-Oh, no. I thought you'd be like, "No, no..."

-Listen to this.

I still get emotional watching replays of the 1966 World Cup final.

-If he wins, we won't hear the last of it.

-Oh, my God!

Blimey. We've got another day of this tomorrow.

Time for a bit of shut-eye. Nighty-night!

Wakey-wakey, rise and shine!

The fellas are on the move once more.

You must have been quite squashed in that car yesterday, Mick?

-Yeah.

-It's the first time I've ever seen anyone getting into a car

with the help of the shoehorn.

Shut up!

He's a cheeky devil.

And the gals?

Well, you should see what we've bought, Margie.

Oh, my. Was he... I bet he's...

Is he sort of very, very quick off the mark?

He's like lightning. Honestly.

We bought our first item within seconds.

-Yeah.

-The second one, we probably bought about two minutes later.

The third one...

was just as we were leaving the shop.

And then the fourth one... Oh, Margie, it's horrible.

Tell it like it is, Catherine.

Yesterday, our spirited gents rolled up their sleeves

and had a thoroughly lovely time.

Mickey purchased one solitary item,

the railway plaque, so still has a huge £375 for the day ahead.

Ricky, on the other hand, couldn't stop spending.

He has the late 19th-century urn.

The copper powder flask.

The collection of little toys.

And his absolute fave, the Royal Doulton Jimmy Durante mug.

-£20.

-Sold!

Well done. Cheers, kid.

He has £275 left to splash.

-Thank you.

-Cheers, bye.

-You know what's happened?

-Yeah, they're talking.

-They're in the working men's club...

-Talking.

-They've got their pie.

How many people do they know in and around Liverpool?

Well, this is the thing. We could be waiting hours.

They know everyone, don't they?

ENGINE GRINDS

-Oh!

-This could be them.

They make an entrance, don't they?

-Here they come.

-Hey.

Good morning. How are we?

-Ready for a bit of action?

-Lovely to see you both.

-Oh, we're going to get a double hug.

-Aw!

Steady on, Margie.

-MICKEY:

-Morning. How are you? Pleasure to see you.

How are you, Margie? How are you?

-I'm all right, darling.

-Good to see you.

-All the best.

-CATHERINE:

-Yeah, good luck.

-You'll need it.

-MICKEY:

-I can feel the warmth

coming from him!

-So, you put the world to rights?

-MICKEY:

-We certainly did.

Let's nip in with Ricky and Catherine, shall we?

So, how was your first experience of the world of antiques yesterday?

Absolutely brilliant.

It was an eye-opener.

A slight disagreement between the experts and the amateur, but...

Just a slight...

I'm dying to see it put to the test.

It's going to make thousands, though,

that's what's going to happen.

Whilst over in the fabulous Stag...

So, we're off to Liverpool and Southport.

-Right.

-And I believe the shop is on Tunnel Road?

Tunnel Road. I was born about 200 yards from there.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-Do you have any connections

-to get cheap merchandise?

-I hope so. I don't think so.

But it might be nice, wouldn't it?

It would be.

We're in Mickey's stomping ground, the city of Liverpool.

The Tunnel Furniture Company is Mickey's next stop.

Here we are.

-Right, Marge?

-Yeah.

-My neck of the woods.

Oh!

-Garden stuff.

-Yeah, garden stuff.

Seems to be coping all right. Wow!

It's an Aladdin's cave, this, isn't it?

Have they got ants in their pants?

With six rooms stuffed full, they've got a lot to look through in here.

Are you a bit over-phased?

Oh, now, I like this, Margie. Art Deco.

-That's nice, isn't it?

-That's nice.

It's like a sort of Teasmade, is it?

Yeah. It's obviously made in the shape of a...

A ship, isn't it?

You've got your...

-Tea and sugar and whatever.

-Yeah, tea and sugar.

-That's nice, that, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-So, how old would that be, then?

Well... Got to start being suspicious.

And I think you'll find that that is, amazingly, a really good repro.

Moving on. Anything else take your fancy?

-Oh, look.

-Oh, one of those railway signs. Yes.

Oh, my goodness. That's all right.

I like them. Yeah, that's quite a good one.

Gas pipeline warning.

People do collect those.

-Do they?

-Yeah. Amazingly.

See how much money.

27.

-What do you think?

-Do you think?

-Yeah, might be...

-Could do.

Yeah, yeah.

Well, that's one contender.

Gosh. You've got to have eyes in the back of your head, haven't you?

Oh, aye.

Oh, here, we've got... Oh, what've you seen there?

Microscopes. I like them.

-Do you like microscopes?

-Yeah, yeah. Do you know what would be good?

-What?

-We could look into them

and inspect Ricky and Catherine's profits!

Ah, just as I thought, nothing.

The jokes just keep on coming.

So you like those?

I do like them, yeah.

-Possibility?

-Mm.

A second possible, but, hello, what's this?

-Oh, it is nice, that, yeah.

-Yes, Satsuma.

-Satsuma?

-Yes, Satsuma.

Japanese porcelain.

-Ah.

-That's quite nice, because inside...

-Ah, right, OK.

-That's all hand-painted.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-Oh, wow.

-That's interesting, isn't it?

-Yeah, if you look at all their faces,

-they're all different.

-Right, yeah.

Satsumaware is divided into two distinct categories.

The original plain dark clay from the early 1600s,

or the elaborately decorated styles for the export market,

like this one, probably dating from the early 20th century.

But there's no ticket price.

-I think we need to speak to Paul, don't we?

-Yeah, let's get him over.

Paul! Paul!

Paul!

Oh. Here he is.

Paul, we spotted a lovely little Satsuma...

Well, no, it's not that lovely.

-It's not that lovely.

-It's beautiful.

-A little Satsuma dish.

-Like a powder dish?

-Yes, a powder dish.

I could do you that for about 45 quid.

-Yeah, 40?

-Yeah, go on.

-I think we'll have that.

-40, yeah, we've done well.

-That's the first.

-That's nice.

And the microscopes?

-Now, do they come as a pair?

-No, they're different prices.

I thought they were a pair for 70 quid.

See, a pair for 75 would be brilliant, wouldn't it, for us?

We're working against Ricky Tomlinson, you know...

If you're working against Ricky Tomlinson,

you can have them for the 75!

Ooh, that is a result, cheers! Nice one!

This is going well.

We'll have those.

Now, what about that? Just throw in that gas thing.

-That's got to be 15 quid.

-Shall we go for that?

-Yeah, I think that's fair enough.

-Thanks, Paul, you've been great.

That's £130 for the railway plaque,

the pair of microscopes and the Satsuma powder bowl.

-Cheers.

-Thanks very much.

-Thank you so much.

-Cheers, Paul.

-See you.

-Bye, Paul.

Over to the Jag and Ricky and Catherine.

So, yes, you know where we're off to now, Catherine?

-Where are you taking me?

-Liverpool!

-SCOUSE ACCENT:

-Liverpool, Liverpool!

-Liverpool!

-Liverpool!

Oh, dear, Catherine.

That's right, this pair are also in the city of Liverpool.

This is where we do our deals, I reckon.

-This is where it all happens.

-Yes!

Penny Lane Emporium has lots of dealers selling their goodies.

What will we find in here then?

Isn't that lovely?

We might find some of your old stuff here.

HE LAUGHS

It's funny, isn't it, things like this now becoming collectable.

-Yeah.

-Fantastic.

-I mean, you probably had one like that, did you?

-I did.

What about this? I like this.

-Ah.

-Ahhh!

That's a bit of class, isn't it?

-I like that.

-Isn't that elegant?

-I think that's lovely.

-Mmm.

That's lovely, I like that, I do like that.

I love these shades, and the fact that they're...

I mean, that one's obviously not got a bulb,

but don't they look lovely when they're lit?

I do like that, actually.

I think that's very elegant.

1920s, it could be.

I think that's really stylish.

And it's priced at £150.

Let's get dealer Mark over.

Mark!

Mark.

-Mark?

-Mark?

Hi, there. You found something?

We have.

Not probably what we'd normally find, but we quite like this lamp.

-Oh, it's lovely, yeah.

-And I'm guessing the person's not here.

That's right, yes, Diane's not here at the moment.

You couldn't give her a ring for us, could you,

and let me have a word with her?

I can certainly give her a tinkle, yes.

It's just a bit out of our price range at the moment, so...

-Bear with me.

-I think, what do we want to pay, ideally?

I think £100 tops, really.

About a hundred-ish if we can...

-I know it's asking...

-I can only go to 125, so I'll give her a tinkle.

Give her a tinkle and see what she says.

Prepare yourself, dealer Diane.

Ricky Tommo with you, kid.

Now, listen, we like this little, erm,

this lamp here, you know,

the brass standard lamp.

Now, listen, you're in a good mood, Diane,

everything's going well and we're going well,

and I want to win this blinking competition.

Come on, what's the lowest you can go, Diane?

-Well, I want you to win it. How about 90?

-90! Ha-ha-hey!

You're on, thank you very much, I'm going to stop the call immediately,

in case you change your mind!

Ta-ra, thanks, Diane!

You are brilliant!

Well done! Thank you, Diane.

I'm made up with that.

-Thank you very much.

-Congratulations.

-God bless.

-Thank you!

-Sound as a pound.

You've done well with that. I think you will, actually.

Well done, Ricky.

That's a £60 discount on the Edwardian brass lamp.

Thank you so much.

Back to best pals Mickey and Margie.

-Pressure's on now.

-Pressure's on.

We haven't got long now to get stuff on the table.

-No, we haven't, but I'm confident.

-To impress those two.

-Oh, yes.

But I have absolutely every faith in you, Margie.

-I can rely on you.

-Oh, my goodness me.

They've travelled to the seaside town of Southport,

home to the oldest pleasure pier in the UK.

And this fine emporium, Theantiquesman.

They have £245 to spend in here.

-Wow, look at this.

-Now, what's that you've got, Mickey?

Avast behind! Oh, it's not a telescope, what is it?

It's a fireman's hose.

I knew that all the time!

Easy mistake, Mickey.

I quite like these.

-What's that?

-That's a bamboo brush pot.

-A brush pot?

-Yeah, you know, for painting brushes.

Oh, right! Oh, I see.

Artists' paintbrushes.

-Yeah.

-Yeah, I do like that, would that be expensive?

-Well, I don't know.

-Unusual, isn't it?

-We'll have to wait and see.

Possible. No ticket price.

Moving on.

That's a funny old thing next to your telescope.

Oh, yeah. What is it?

Ooh!

Oh, it's a spade.

-Right.

-Ah!

Militaria thing?

-Yeah.

-Some kind of cutting thing.

Yeah, the soldiers would have them on their belts.

To cut a...?

Digging their, well, trenches.

-Cutting a trench.

-Yeah, yeah.

Gosh.

Can dealer John tell us any more about it?

Yeah, it's for digging trenches.

It is military.

-Is it?

-It is military, yes.

-OK.

-It's got all the military numbers on the side.

-Oh, in there, OK.

-So you arrive on the battlefield,

and the first job is to dig a trench?

And it's very unusual,

because it's got the actual leather part and it's never been used.

Yeah, we thought, yeah, there's no creases.

So, what's that bit for there?

That's... That would come up and that would...

Very...

For a hard rocky stone or something?

-Yes, yes.

-What an interesting thing.

It is. I like that.

Yeah. How much is it, to me, with a bad cold?

OK. Without a cold, £50.

With a cold, £30.

Interesting pricing.

How much can this brush pot be?

-£90.

-Oh!

-John.

-It's a lot, that, John, it's a lot.

-Well...

I see that, I like it. I really like it.

Time for Mickey to have a go at the old deal-making.

Look at me.

-Look at me in the eyes.

-Yes.

I want...

the brush pot...

..for £70.

Now look at me in the eyes.

I can't, I'm not that good an actor.

For £90.

Oh, you're not going to ease it?

-Two for a oner?

-Two for a oner?

-Yeah?

-It's all right.

-Go on, go on, two for a oner.

Two for a oner. Done it.

So that translates into English as £65 for the bamboo brush pot

and 35 for the entrenching tool.

Pay the gentleman.

I certainly will. Here we go. There we have...

And that deal takes their tally to five lots for auction.

Excellent.

80, 90, 100!

Thank you so much, John.

It's a pleasure doing business with you.

Brilliant experience.

Thank you very much.

Right, bye, John. Thank you.

That's our shopping done, innit?

-Yeah, great.

-I think we've done well.

-We have. Come on, let's go!

Meanwhile, what are Ricky and Catherine up to?

We bought something yesterday doggie-related,

and you are a bit of a doggy fan, aren't you?

I'm a big doggy fan. I love, I love dogs.

My favourite breeds are the bull breeds, bull mastiffs, bulldogs,

English bull terriers.

And because of this love for all things canine,

Ricky and Catherine have detoured to Atherton in Greater Manchester.

They've come to the Guide Dogs training centre,

to hear how, 86 years ago,

four dogs would set in motion

the beginning of ground-breaking training,

ultimately bringing life-changing independence

to tens of thousands of people -

an incredible story of trust in man's best friend.

Ricky's come to hear about the pioneering work

of those who trained the first dogs for the blind.

Centre manager Sue Richardson knows the story.

-Hello!

-You must be Sue?

I am. Lovely to meet you.

-Nice to meet you, kid.

-Nice to meet you.

-Thanks for letting us in, kid.

-You're very welcome, yeah.

You can hear the dogs barking.

Hello, Catherine. Lovely to meet you.

Yes, come on in.

The guide dog story starts at the end of the First World War.

In 1916, a German doctor trained dogs to help veterans

blinded by gas attacks.

But by 1931, his techniques had found their way to Britain.

We had two ladies, Muriel Crook and Rosamond Bond,

who'd heard of some training success across Europe

with blind people with dogs,

and they decided they wanted to launch something over here.

The ladies were German shepherd breeders

and organised the training of the first four British guide dogs -

Judy, Flash, Folly and Meta -

from Muriel's home in Wallasey.

The four men who volunteered were taking a brave,

bold step into the unknown.

It was a four week class.

They went through the rigorous training,

and it took quite a lot of confidence on their behalf,

because obviously they didn't have any eyesight at all

and they were learning to work with dogs who they didn't know particularly well,

so it took quite a lot of courage and bravery,

and they were learning to do things even like run along with the dogs.

So these two ladies then basically started,

"Right, we really need to do this properly."

In 1936, the first house was created

where people were trained regularly from there.

By 1956,

102 dogs had been trained when the ladies created a breeding programme.

It really, again, really started off very well in England,

probably in about the late '60s, early '70s,

that was our proper breeding programme.

And now we breed up to 1,400 puppies a year.

Rosamond and Muriel's training programme

acclimatised the dogs to busy roads and obstacles,

common in everyday life.

This training is still used by the Guide Dogs charity today

and is carried out by volunteers.

Over the years, the golden retriever crossed with the Labrador

has proven to be the most successful guide dog.

Would you like to meet some of the puppies? These little ones?

-Yes, please.

-Yes? OK.

-Hello!

-Thank you.

-Who have we got here?

-So, this is...

Kerry. Hiya, Kerry.

14 weeks.

Oh! Hello!

And this is Chas, and he's 18 weeks.

-Hello!

-So he's a little bit older.

We just take them out and about on the bus and the train...

-Great.

-And we just get them used to everything.

And they're lovely.

And they're allowed to play with toys and our own pet dogs.

They have a lovely puppyhood.

You don't take old chaps in, do you?

You can come if you like!

If you can sit and lie down!

-Going to take the challenge?

-Yes...

But what's it like to be guided by a dog?

Ricky's joining a class.

-Right, are you ready?

-Yeah. Yeah.

OK, let's go. Forward...

So what's happened here,

we've set up what we call an artificial obstacle course,

which really approximates what a dog would have to deal with

with a guided owner, out on the street

when it's moving past street furniture,

groups of people...

-So...

-Fantastic.

Yeah. It's very disorientating,

I'm sure Ricky's probably finding this quite interesting, to be honest.

It's an amazing experience, kid.

It's absolutely... You can't...

You can't describe it, though, see, can you?

You... You... I'm trusting him, in this case the dog and you.

When the dogs are trained, there's no you,

there's just the dog and the handler, isn't there?

Over 80 years ago,

four courageous blind men and their loyal dogs

helped to transform the lives of the blind and partially sighted.

Since then, the charity has helped over 29,000 people to achieve

life-changing independence.

A remarkable feat illustrating the exemplary training

and the wonderful bond between guide dog and his owner.

With the shopping now complete,

time to reunite and have a nosey at one another's buys.

Prepare to be dazzled.

Did you have a good time today?

Marvellous, wonderful, couldn't have gone better.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-Good.

-So, are we going to reveal?

-I'm going to show you what we bought.

-Exactly.

-Dun-dun-dun!

-That's lovely.

-CATHERINE AND RICKY HUM

Oh.

-Ooh.

-Ooh. Oh, hey.

Now, unfortunately, we did have a bit of a mishap,

-we're missing a...

-We're missing a...

-Oh, no.

..a shade, but that's fine.

We've still got our beautiful lamp stand.

And look at all our objets d'art.

-Ooh, that's nice.

-Can I just move in?

-Yes, you can.

-And have a look.

What's happened here? Has he got... Is there a lid on there?

No, because it's a world famous entertainer.

Oh, it's a character jug.

-And who is it?

-Oh, it's Schnozzle Durante!

Oh, that's wonderful.

-Well done.

-Do you like that?

He picked that. I think it's horrible!

-Yeah.

-Do you like it?

-MICKEY:

-Jimmy Durante?!

-Oh, yes.

That's great, that, Mick, innit?

# Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you

# If you're objet d'art... #

Catherine doesn't have a clue!

-Yes, love that.

-And then you've got the...

We don't mention that, we move on.

Let's have a look at yours.

We think that could have come from Imperial Russia.

See, no use talking to her.

-No use talking.

-All right, OK.

That looks nice, that.

That's not 32 carat, it's just 18.

Looks more like boiled carrots.

And, you know, shall we reveal...

Come on, then. Let's have a look at your...

-Let's have a look at your stuff.

-We haven't really...

-Come on.

-Here we go.

-MICKEY:

-Reveal!

-There we go.

-Now, then. Oh...

-So...

I love your Satsuma.

Yeah, I have to show you something nice about it.

-Go on, then.

-On both sides, you've got the painting inside.

That is very unusual.

That is very unusual.

How much did you pay for that?

-40 quid.

-Yeah.

-Hundred quid, hundred and 20 quid, that.

-You reckon?

-It's beautiful.

-That I've never seen, it's a trench cutter.

-It's a what?

-Trench cutter.

-Trench spade?

-Trench spade?

-You must call a spade a spade.

They used to have them in the American army, digging themselves...

-That's unusual, isn't it?

-I just thought it was a bit interesting.

-I think you've got a lovely selection, there.

-It is.

I think that is really interesting. I think that is fantastic.

-I like a bit of Satsuma.

-That is the best thing out of the lot,

-although I hate saying that.

-Really?

-It is really nice.

-Are you a sore loser?

I am. But, no, it's beautiful.

Well done, you.

Fantastic. Come on, then.

-Let's go.

-OK.

We'll see you... We'll speak to you a bit later.

See you later at the auction.

-MICKEY:

-See you at the auction.

Come on, then.

Come on, you lot, dish the dirt.

I think, quite interesting.

Yeah? Yeah.

From the little digging spade to the microscopes, yeah,

-I think it's quite interesting.

-I think what is lovely

is that Satsuma dish, which...

It is really unusual to be painted inside like that,

it's really quality.

Think they've got the edge on the auction?

No, I think we're... I'm quietly confident,

I think we can swing this.

What did you think when they saw the Schnozz?

-Well, she knew who it was right away.

-They knew.

-Right away.

-You're pretty good.

It's made by a quality maker, isn't it, and stuff like that.

-I think that'll do really well.

-I think it will. Well...

-Well, kid, you've been great.

-Let's go.

-Thank you.

-Come on.

And what do you think your mate Ricky said about this?

-He'd say...

-AS RICKY:

-"I tell you what, lad,

"why don't we go to the ale house and have a bevvy

"and forget all about it?!"

Margie is speechless for once.

We're off to auction,

and the West Midlands,

destined for the town of Stourbridge.

Are you looking forward to seeing Catherine, Rick?

Yeah, I am. I was made up with her.

She taught me a lot. And very competitive, like me.

Thinks we're on a sure thing, I can't wait to beat you.

I'll shake your hand and commiserate with you,

-but I think we're on a winner.

-Well, I think we are.

Fieldings Auctioneers is the location for today's auction battle.

This should be exciting.

-Hello!

-Hey, you all right, kid?

-Oh!

-You all right?

-Ready for the fray?

Oh, yes. Yes, we're up for it.

-Are you up for it?

-What do you think, Rick?

You were a good loser. A very good loser.

-Story of my life!

-Take no notice of him, come on.

Super confidence from Ricky, eh?

Ricky and Catherine spent £215 on five lots.

Ricky being an impulsive buyer.

Mickey and Margie spent £255, also on five lots.

Mickey proved to be a natural haggler.

Nicholas Davies is the gavel-basher for today.

What does he think of our road trippers' offerings?

At £75, then, done and finished.

One lot I'd be worried about selling,

the Royal Doulton Jimmy Durante jug, just a bit out of fashion, really.

So it may struggle.

At the moment, the military's doing quite well,

so the trench cutter could be an interesting lot.

A bit different, bit unusual, should do OK.

Thank you, Nicholas. And we are also open to internet bidders.

Wow, what do you think?

Smart, isn't it?

-It is.

-It's your lot up first.

Are you nervous?

I am a bit nervous, yeah.

Doulton character jug.

Yes...

No, he's lovely. He's lovely. They could make one of you.

-There's confidence. It's oozing out of him.

-There is one of me, yes.

-Is there?

-Yeah.

-Oh, we need to get one.

It's much bigger, though, isn't it?

The nose is a lot...

The nose is a lot bigger!

Yeah, first, Ricky's favourite.

The Royal Doulton Jimmy Durante mug.

Here's your chance to make someone happy.

Where'd you start me on this one?

£10? £10 for it, quickly, come on.

It's here to go. £10.

It's got to be sold. Are you coming online at £10?

£10 there.

Hooray!

We've taken off.

15 if you're coming back online with £10 in the room.

15, are you coming back? At £10, maiden bid.

Internet's gone quiet. It was a long way away,

to be fair. It was Australia.

-What's wrong with that...?

-They don't know him.

Where's the American bidders?

Last chance. All finished and done?

Oh! Well, that's a surprise.

Thanks very much, Mick, for your support.

Thank you for your support.

I feel really humbled.

Don't worry, Ricky, you bought from the heart, and that's what counts.

Listen, don't be worrying.

Any idiot could have bought that.

Don't rub it in, Mickey, your bamboo brush pot is next.

Bids this time will open at £35.

35.

£35 I'm bid.

40. Five?

£40 in the room. 45 online if you're coming back.

-£40 in the room.

-It's good, though, it's online.

50 in the room.

55 online, are you coming back?

-Clearing it.

-60 in the room. 65 online.

-70.

-Ah! Profit.

75 online? £70 in the room.

75. 80. Five. 90. Five?

-Stop.

-Stop, he says!

-Oh, no, it's good.

-I'm selling at £110, are we all sure?

110. Sold.

Lady's bid. Paddle up, 608.

-Thank you very much.

-Well done.

I think Ricky's upset.

Well done, Team Mickey.

A great profit.

You see, it's not the winning, it's the taking part.

Come on, Ricky, never fear, your 19th century urn is up next.

£20 for it, quickly, anybody coming in for this one? Nice piece at £20.

Internet's thinking about it.

-At £20. No interest at 20.

-Oh, come on, internet.

-20, I've got you.

-A bid at 20.

-We're off.

At £20, maiden bid. Come on, be quick.

At £20. 25 anywhere else?

-We need more than that.

-£25?

For an extra fiver. At £20, then.

Come on!

Internet's quiet. Room's quiet.

£20 it is. Paddle aloft.

That's a bad result.

-I know!

-It's a bad result.

My bad result was coming out with him.

I'm sure things will pick up soon, Ricky.

Ricky, five, six years, you'll forget this ever happened.

Next, Mickey's microscopes.

-There they are.

-£20.

Put the hammer down, 20 quid.

Two microscopes, £20 I'm bid.

-25 anywhere else?

-Come on.

-Maiden bid seems cheap.

Very cheap, this. 25 anywhere else?

-Oh, no!

-£20.

-I'm going to have to sell them at £20.

-Oh, we're...

Internet. 25 online.

-Got you, 30 in the room.

-Oh, no.

-Come on.

-At £35 I'm asking.

-Oh, no!

-35. 40? Still only £20 each.

£40 in the room.

45, are you coming back online?

-£40.

-You're lucky, they were going to sell at 20, then.

Online, quickly, one last bid.

£40, then, room bid, I'll have to take it at 40.

-Are we all done?

-Oh, no.

-£40 for the two microscopes.

-That's not a big loss.

Oh, congratulations!

-Well, we were...

-I'm thrilled.

Don't take it the wrong way.

Great support, fellas.

Don't worry, Mickey, plenty more to go.

You see, that vindicated me.

-You see, you put the jinx on it.

-I did put the jinx on it.

-Carry on doing that.

-Wiped our profit on the brush.

Yeah. It's wiped our profit on the brush.

Ricky's next with the copper powder flask.

-It's this.

-Oh, look, that looks nice.

-Always collectable.

-Bids and interest at £30. £30.

£30 straight in.

Takes the commission bid out.

This is good.

Online at £30. 35 on the internet.

40, you're out. 35, internet bid.

Seems about right at 35. 40 anywhere else in the room?

40 anywhere else online?

-Come on...

-No.

This is good, this is our good thing.

£35. All done and finished?

That's what we paid.

35.

-I liked it.

-I thought that would make more.

So did I, Catherine.

That's a real bargain for a lucky buyer.

I'm putting on my trying-to-care face.

Are you?

Dry your eyes, Ricky.

Right, Mickey's next to go with his entrenching tool.

-Bids and interest, 35.

-Interest, £35.

-What did you pay, again?

-35.

Handy for the garden, if you're desperate. At £35. 40 anywhere else?

£35 for the military.

At 35. 40, can't tempt anyone else?

-Surely another one.

-On commission at 35.

Bid's left with us. All sure and done at 35?

Last chance.