Episode 20 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip

The nation's favourite celebrities...

-Ooh!

-Just want to touch base.

-..paired up with an expert...

-Boo!

-What...?

..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.

-Whoa!

-Who will find a hidden gem?

HORN HONKS

-Like that.

-Who will take the biggest risk?

This could end in disaster.

Will ANYBODY follow expert advice?

But I love this!

Why buy something you're not going to use?

There will be worthy winners, and valiant losers.

No, I don't want to shake hands.

Put your pedal to the metal.

Hang on, let me get out of first gear.

This is the Celebrity Antiques Road Trip!

Yeah!

On your marks, get set, go!

And we're off on a brand-new road trip,

with legendary Olympians Katharine Merry and Linford Christie.

Whoa! Potholes!

See that there, that's skills, that is!

And I didn't feel a bump!

Best friends for years, this pair of running heroes are motoring along in

this rather swish 1974 Jensen Interceptor.

Can't beat driving around Oxfordshire.

You realise that everyone's staring at us?

-I know.

-But you know why they're staring? Cos they're thinking,

that seriously good-looking guy there, and...

he's got his chauffeur, and she's not even wearing a cap.

The oldest man to win an Olympic 100m title,

Linford claimed the 1992 gold in Barcelona, aged 32.

With an international career spanning 17 years,

he competed over 60 times for his country,

and has won more major championship medals

than any other British male sprinter.

We've known each other...

-Too long.

-I first met you when I was 13.

-And I was 17.

-And you were...!

I remember, because they were trying to find the fastest schoolgirl and

schoolboy in the country, and you were the figurehead.

And we kind of then went full circle, didn't we,

because I started running internationally at 13,

you were still running and winning every title that was available.

And then, you kind of went into coaching.

I remember when I met you, I said to you I'd love to coach you.

-Do you remember that?

-Yes, I do.

-I never ever thought it was going to

happen. I never did. The thing also, when I was coaching,

the age groups seemed a lot bigger.

But now, you know, you realise that there wasn't much years between us,

really, you know? Something like five or six.

There's 15 years between us!

-I'm 42!

-Ooh!

-Ooh!

-What are you talking about, you're nearly 60, mate!

Whoohoo!

I'd watch your step if I were you, Linford!

An Olympic star at the 2000 Games in Sydney,

Katharine won bronze in the 400m and was ranked number one in the world

the following year.

Katharine is now a sports presenter and commentator.

The thing is, because we get on so well,

this means that I didn't train you hard enough.

-Yeah.

-Because if I gave you a real hard session,

-you wouldn't be talking to me now.

-Oh, gosh!

Bore off!

Every single training session - "nobody trained as hard as me!"

"I trained 65 times on Christmas Day!"

-There you go!

-"You will do well, you just won't to do well enough."

-Well, it doesn't matter...

-But then again, you were Olympic gold,

I was Olympic bronze, so I wasn't quite good enough, right?

-Well...

-That's your fault, coach.

No, it wasn't my fault, you just didn't listen!

Well, let's hope they both listen to their experts,

as they'll be teaming up with jolly David Harper and super smiley

Christina Trevanion.

They're cruising along in this 1957 Jaguar XK150.

Manufactured before seat belts were mandatory means none are fitted,

which is why they aren't wearing any. Got it? Nice numberplate.

What a beautiful morning it is.

Whee!

Oh, are you away with the fairies?

Yeah, well, most of the time.

We've got Linford Christie, I mean...

He is an absolute true hero of mine, honestly.

-Doyen.

-Oh, my gosh.

I mean, as a younger man, I would watch...

Linford Christie was the guy - the man is an icon.

I'm very much looking forward to spending some time with Katharine Merry.

-A bronze medallist at Sydney...

-Yeah.

-..In 2000, and just all-round fascinating woman.

The way that she has led her career and what she's done through her career is really quite inspiring.

-Good.

-Really inspiring.

I'm sensing a bit of girl power.

Well, if you don't mind, I'd quite like to go with Katharine.

That's fine. You know, Linford has been my hero for very many years -

I'm desperate to meet him.

The battle of the ladies versus the gents it is, then.

Both teams will kick off this rip-roaring road trip with £400 in their pockets.

Starting in Weston-on-the-Green,

they'll then be buying up in Oxfordshire

and Berkshire before heading to

Bourne End in Buckinghamshire for auction.

Quite a trip!

What do you know about antiques, L?

I know you, Katharine, that's all I know.

You know like a postage stamp that you put on a letter?

What I know about antiques you could write on the back of it!

-Hello, good morning!

-Whoa!

-Morning!

-Good morning, sir!

Wow!

Wow, wow, wow!

-Linford Christie!

-Can you...?

It's quite low in there, isn't he?

-Yeah!

-Linford!

-How are you doing, sir?

-It's a pleasure to meet you.

-Good morning. Pleasure.

Right, so, we need to decide...

Well, Linford, I thought the XK150 is more us,

it's kind of svelte and sporty, don't you think?

-I'm with you, sir.

-Yeah, come on.

Well, we'll go in the much cooler car.

This will be the winner's car, then, Christina.

-Yeah, it must be.

-Oh, really? If we can get in.

-Hang on.

-Oh-ho!

This might take some time!

Are you going to drive, darling, or am I going to drive?

I'll drive.

They're off!

This morning, both teams will be starting their shopping

in the village of Yarnton in Oxfordshire.

Now, Linford, I think there's a really interesting dynamic on this Antiques Road Trip,

because we've got you, the tutor,

then we've got Katharine, the student.

So, how's that going to play out on the competitive stakes?

Oh, Katharine is very competitive.

Good school, nice school, proximity.

It's not about the taking part, it's about the winning.

Oh, OK. Really? Oh, gosh, you're quite competitive.

Yeah, it kind of comes with the nature of being a sportsperson, I think.

-She's always been.

-Yeah?

And I think that was one of the good things about her, coaching her,

she competed against the guys all the time.

If they ran a time, even though she couldn't run as fast, she would try.

And so therefore...

..it's going to be... It's going to be unbearable!

There's two people in the world I never want to lose to -

-one is my husband...

-Yeah.

-And one is Linford.

-Oh, really? Ooh, I love that! OK.

Ooh, good, good, good.

Looks like our gents have pipped the ladies to the first shop.

Smart!

Right outside for you, Linford.

Thank you. I cannot complain, sir.

-Great service.

-Let's go antique buying.

Now, Linford, does that remind you of childhood?

It does indeed. Almost like a Chipper and a Chopper.

It is, it is!

I had a Chipper.

I preferred the Chopper myself.

Bike nostalgia aside,

Yarnton Antiques Centre has around 50 dealers' wares on offer.

So, if you look at the cabinets, Linford,

you can tell every dealer has a different style and taste.

Each one is a distinctly different shop.

-I must say, I like... That is nice.

-What do you like? Let's have a look.

-The communion...

-Comm... Oh, right, communion.

Well...

-Shot glasses.

-That's more like it, isn't it?

Originally designed for religious ceremonies.

Now, you're right, that would be a fun, quirky party piece, wouldn't it?

Silver-plated. And then each little tumbler will be hand-blown.

But it's a good quality thing.

And looking at the legs there, and the design,

it looks very Art Deco to me.

And worth a closer inspection.

I mean, they're lovely little glasses.

And look at the bubble. Isn't that beautiful?

So, these are... I think these are hand-blown, aren't they?

Let's have a look from the base. Oh, that is fantastic.

Let me hold that... I'll hold that up and just have a look at that.

Oh, that looks really nice, doesn't it?

It's like a chandelier.

-I was going to say, because maybe you would put some little candles here and hang it.

-I'm...

You know what, I'm not joking, you could do that.

I really like that, Linford.

-I do like that, I like that.

-Better talk money with dealer Daniel.

Well, what sort of price could that be, Daniel?

It could be 38.

Personally, I think it's absolutely for nothing at 38.

I would be very much up for buying that.

Definitely, then, let's... We agree.

-Shall we have it?

-We should have it.

-You found it, let's have it.

-Daniel, thank you very much. Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-Daniel, put that on our account.

-Will do.

So, the gents have won the race for the first buy. Girls - you're playing catch-up.

Ah, no, they're here first!

Those rats!

Just shout if anything...

-..crops up.

-It's a marathon, it's not a sprint, see?

OK!

Oh, my gosh. See, look at all these cabinets, I mean, it's cabinet crazy, isn't it?

Oh, what have you spotted, then?

That tub there with that little...

-That's nice.

-..Glass-based little vase there, and that blue enamel top.

I like the blue, that's the colour of our car.

It is the colour of our car.

-That's a sign, Christina, yeah.

-Do you think?

We literally have just walked in...

-Yeah. Yeah, but it caught our eye.

-It did, very much so.

Very, very much so, but let's keep wandering and we'll keep that one in

-the memory bank.

-Definitely.

This is what I want to show you.

One of my big passions, and immediately I love it,

because it's got a very good weight to it as well.

-Is it Ming?

-It could be Ming, but...

No, it isn't! It isn't Ming.

But it is utterly delicious.

Have a hold of it.

-Er...

-Turn it over.

-It's all stapled.

-Yeah, I know.

-Isn't that lovely?

-I mean, it is quite...

I mean, I think, I've never...

Of course, it's actually holding it together.

It's holding it together. It's beautifully repaired,

which tells me a couple of things.

First of all, it helps date it,

because this form of restoration

really came to an end about 100 years ago.

And staples around the...

Stapled... Well, they're literally just hand-forged.

But it tells you something else -

that it was also highly prized

by whoever owned it,

because the cost of repair

was quite expensive.

It's definitely Chinese.

And it is described as Famille Rose.

And featuring hand-painted butterflies, representing long life.

It is a fantastic thing.

-Made me think, that.

-Yeah, it does, it does make you think.

This is the Antiques Road Trip, it's a proper antique, it's 20 quid.

It is, as we say in the north of England, for nowt.

-It's got me.

-Has it got you?

-Yeah, it's got me.

-It's touched your heart.

-It's got me!

-I'm broken, I'm utterly broken!

Oh! So's the plate!

-Back with the girls...

-This is quite cool, quite funky.

What's Christina found?

What do you think about that?

-British Rail...

-So, it's basically an advertising poster,

which obviously British Rail have used...

What is it dated down here.... is it January 1967?

-Oh, gosh.

-Yeah. It's very evocative,

it brings back a time when people used to get on the sleeper overnight for a holiday.

-Are they common?

-There probably would have been quite a few of them produced -

whether many of them have survived or not, that's debatable.

-Yeah.

-Travel posters...

-Mmm.

-Very collectable.

-OK.

-Railway-ana - very collectable.

If we were in Scotland...

-Yes.

-..I'd be more inclined.

-OK.

-But we're in Oxfordshire.

-You don't sound convinced.

-I'm not,

but I can see the two or three areas you've said it will appeal to.

So, the poster's a possibility.

Anything else grab you?

Ooh, a Star-Spangled Banner.

-Oh!

-Ooh!

That's lovely, isn't it? Is that all hand-stitched?

Oh, it IS all hand-stitched.

48...

..Star American flag.

I might be wrong, but 48 stars I think was from turn-of-the-century,

so 1910, 1912.

-Oh, wow.

-And then I think they added another two stars, actually,

-because it's 50 stars, isn't it?

-Yes, yeah.

So, I think they added another two stars in the 1950s.

So it's a genuine vintage thing.

And did you know that the last two states and stars

making up the 50 were Alaska and Hawaii,

who entered the union in 1959?

It's just quite cool, isn't it?

-£85.

-Yeah, at auction it's 60 to 100.

-OK.

-For me, it would look quite bright and jolly in the saleroom,

so people would notice it.

Yes. I like it, I like the history,

I like the 48 stars, not the 50, so...

-Mmm.

-And you trained in America for a while.

-Yeah, I do like it.

-Sexy outfit!

Oh, well, you see...!

Oh, my gosh! You look like the Statue of Liberty!

Or the leaning tower of Pisa, I don't know which one!

Thank you! How are you getting on?

-Very well, we're just out of control buying, aren't we?

-Indeed.

Well, we find it very easy - what about you?

Really? You look a bit hot and bothered.

-Ah, well, it's just...

-Are you putting him under pressure?

No, we've been given a bonus, so we...

- We're that good. - You're not that good.

-They're empty-handed, Christina, empty-handed.

-Yeah, exactly.

-Exactly. Oh, well, thank you - see you later.

-Bye.

They've just seen one of our purchases!

Yeah, but they don't know we're going to buy it.

-No, that's true, we'll just tell them we haven't. Yeah, we'll just say we haven't.

-OK.

So...

While Linford and David browse on,

Katharine and Christina have found yet more cabinets.

Silver, Christina, that's always a safe bet, right, anything...?

Well... Oh, look at that.

Silver compact mirror box, London 1929 enamel top.

I like the colour, I like the shape, it's a great size.

-We like...

-It's £90, though, but, yeah...

You do get powder compact collectors.

I'd love to look at it in more detail to see if it's signed.

-Yes.

-But that is beautiful.

With two ladies' accessories on their list of potential purchases,

a closer look is called for.

OK, so, studious.

So, that was the first one that we looked at.

-Yeah.

-So, we've got silver top London 1907, £20.

Now, on closer inspection, I mean obviously,

you've got the hallmarks around there, so, nice, good, clear hallmarks on there.

-OK.

-But unfortunately, what we didn't see when it was in the cupboard,

-can you see that chip?

-Ah, yes.

-OK, so...

-Yep.

That one to consider. I still think that at auction,

it might make us a small profit.

-OK.

-It's a pretty thing.

This, on the other hand...

-Yes.

-Which...

The colours are lovely.

This wonderful black enamelling here, contrasting

-with this lovely rural scene.

-Yes, yeah.

-It might seem a bit odd,

but that's a classic Art Deco thing to do.

-Contrast, complete contrast with everything.

-Yeah.

So, we're missing the grill - there would have been a little powder grill in here

originally, which would have kept the powder down. So, that's missing, which is disappointing.

But to be perfectly honest, as a powder compact

-collector...

-Yeah.

-..you're not looking at the inside, you're looking at how it displays.

-Shall we go and ask Daniel?

-Yeah. Let's go and see what Daniel says.

So, along with the £85 flag

and the £55 poster,

that's four items up for consideration.

What's your best, then, Daniel?

The best price on that would be £40.

-OK.

-Would be the very best.

-OK.

-What can we do on that one?

Erm, again, he's given me an indication of £5

I can take off of that.

OK. So, that makes that 80.

So, I've got 120.

And then how much on that one?

And then again, she's given the indication of £10...

-On that.

-Off of that.

-So, that's 80.

-And then...

So, that's 200.

-200.

-Yep, OK.

And then, unfortunately, on that one,

I'm not going to be able to do anything on that.

OK, so, what do we think about this?

No, we've always preferenced that one.

So, is this going to be our first victim?

-Yes.

-OK, so, thank you, but no thank you.

-OK.

-Yeah.

-Put that back in the cabinet.

-So, it's around 200...

-Yep.

-For that, that and that.

-OK.

-I think we've got three potentially very interesting and very strong lots.

-Yeah.

-Shall we go for it?

-Yes, I'm happy if you're happy.

-Yeah?

-Yeah. I like everything we're getting.

-£200.

Thank you, sir.

That means they've bought three items in their first shop.

Marvellous - well done.

Back with our chaps, though...

Are they feeling enlightened?

What do you think of that?

That's some sort of Buddha, isn't it?

It is not some sort of Buddha, it is THE Buddha.

-Is it?

-The Buddha, the enlightened one.

Which is very interesting,

because people would always refer

to Buddhas as big fat bellies and all of that -

they are Buddhist monks,

but they don't represent the original Buddha,

the founder of Buddhism 2,500 years ago.

-That is he.

-OK.

So, that is a tour piece,

something that if you were in India or the east,

you might buy as a memento.

I think he's gorgeous. I think he's absolutely gorgeous.

It's 29 quid, I mean, it's no money.

The question is, do we buy him?

I think it's over to you.

We might get him for £25.

All I can tell you is,

I would not personally leave this building without it.

Well, in that case,

you'd better see if a deal can be secured on this little bronze.

Time to chat money with Daniel.

So, we would like that. And it's...

-Was it 29?

-Yeah, we don't say, we would like it, it's 29...

-Oh.

-That's what you say when you go to a department store.

-I'm sorry...

-We say, we're quite interested in this, how much can it be?

-Over to you.

-We are quite interested in this, sir - how much would it be?

I could do you that for 26.

25? Just because the odd pound is...

-I think we could do 25.

-Are we going to do it?

-Yes, I think we should do it.

-25. Lovely.

-Thank you, Daniel.

-Thank you.

-Fantastic.

Now, what about the £20 Famille Rose plate?

Unfortunately on this, I can't do any reduction on that one.

-What do we think about that? I'm still happy.

-Yeah.

-I'm happy, I'm happy.

Yeah.

Including the Art Deco communion glass set that they shook on earlier,

Linford and David have bagged everything for £83.

Well done, chaps.

Katharine and Christina, meanwhile, have made their way to Oxford.

Christina has a special treat in store for competitive Kath,

as they're going to learn about

Oxfordshire's most popular pub sport.

They're meeting local expert Andy Beale to find out more.

-Look at those beautiful flowers.

-They're very nice, aren't they?

-Are we ready?

-Yeah.

-Hello!

-Hello, welcome.

Hello, thank you.

-Hi, I'm Andy.

-Hi, Christina.

-Hi, Katharine.

-Hi, Katharine.

-I'm Andy.

-Are you all right?

-Yeah. I'm doing well, yep.

Do you want me to show you the game of Aunt Sally?

-Yes, please, yeah.

-Anything in a pub's a winner!

Well, exactly!

Do we pass the bar, Andy?

Oh, yes!

Yes, it's not cribbage or darts that's played most in these parts.

Oh, no, it's the old game of Aunt Sally,

where wooden sticks are thrown at a little doll.

Although little known outside Oxfordshire,

the game is more than just a popular pastime here,

with its own competitive league

that has 90 teams and over 1,200 players.

I never knew that.

So, how did the game come about, Andy?

Well, there's many theories on how the game came about.

One of them is going back to the 17th century,

during the English Civil War.

When Charles set up court in Oxford,

and what they used to do then was tie up a live cockerel to a stake

and then people would come along and pay to throw a stick at the cockerel.

-Oh!

-Really?

-And whoever done the killing blow with the last stick,

that was their prize.

Another theory is with the fairs that came round Oxfordshire,

there was a bit like the coconut shy that you have,

but what they would throw at was a doll.

And they would then throw sticks,

and whoever would knock the doll off then would be able to claim the

prize. And it's just sort of originated from there,

and it has grown and grown and grown as the years have gone on.

First records that we have got was 1938.

There was a four-year gap when the war was on.

From then on we have got all the records of all the games that have been

played, league winners, all the way up to the present day.

So, do you have male and female records?

Male and female, there is all mixed,

there is not a male or female team in the league.

-Wow!

-Everyone mixes in.

-So everyone is equal.

-Yeah.

Everyone is equal, there is no age limit.

So as long as you can throw one of these sticks at the doll...

The origins of how the game got its name had been lost in time,

but back in the day,

the term "Aunt Sally" was a popular insult for something

or someone who was an easy target for criticism or attack.

It is quite fitting for this historic pub game.

Oh, look at that.

Well, at the moment you see Kevin here practising the Aunt Sally game.

And he's got six sticks in his hand and he has to throw at the doll

there, and if you knock the doll off, that is one point.

-OK.

-The game is divided between two teams, eight players in each team.

One team will throw first, all eight players,

and what score they get,

the other team has got to try and beat it.

-Right, OK.

-And it's played over three legs, although, in Aunt Sally,

we have some strange terminology, and they're not called legs,

-they're called horses.

-Oh!

-So it's played over three horses.

And the other strange, odd thing about Aunt Sally

is that you can't draw.

-OK.

-There must be a winner at the end of the night, so you can, in theory,

-play for ever.

-What if you knock nothing off, Andy?

That is called a blob, and if you do that for all three throws,

-then you are called a blobber.

-Oh!

-It's going to be me, isn't it?

And you go in the paper the following week.

-No way!

-Yes, the hall of shame the following week as a blobber.

The accolade is to hit 18 out of 18 over your three throws.

-Oh, right.

-And it is a very rare occurrence.

Out of the 80-odd years the league has been running,

it has only happened 17 times.

So that is everything you need to know about Aunt Sally.

-Do you want to have a go?

-Yeah, definitely.

Let's do it. Right.

Right, girls, grab your sticks and approach the oche.

Right.

Ooh!

-That's a better stick.

-Straight down.

Eyes on the prize. Oh!

Hit the thing again.

Yeah. Agh!

-Come on, Kath, do it for the girls.

-I'm tightening my core.

Yay! Look at that!

How fantastic!

That's why she's won a medal!

Sign her up!

You just need your flag. Well done.

Looks like we have found our first-ever Aunt Sally Olympian.

Well, thank you very, very much, Andy.

-It has been a pleasure.

-It has been an absolute pleasure to learn about

-Aunt Sally.

-Thank you so much. I will come back again.

-Definitely, we'll sign you on. Come on.

-Oh, that was great fun.

Back to the gents.

They have also made their way to Oxford

where they've arrived at their second shop of the day.

-Hello.

-Hello.

Hello, there. Hi, there.

-This is Linford.

-Lovely to meet you. Welcome to Antiques On High.

-Hello, I'm David.

-Caroline.

Hello, Caroline. Is this all yours?

No, no, no, no. We're a group of dealers.

-Oh, right.

-Packed with collectables from about 30 dealers,

there is lots to look at.

Just have a look at this little fellow.

Pottery. Terracotta.

And if you look at the glaze, very carefully,

you will see it has an iridescence, as if it has had petrol...

That colouration and glaze you only get over many, many years.

And I mean many hundreds of years.

So you are now holding an original Chinese Ming Dynasty figure.

-Really?

-Really. So 500 years old.

The quality is pretty good, isn't it?

The quality is amazing.

How are you on the bling stakes, Linford?

I mean, I don't wear a lot of jewellery at all.

I don't do a lot of bling, but it can do quite well in auction.

You've got to look for something that...

-Stands out, is it?

-Yeah.

That people might be wanting today, that they would actually use.

Horses are always good news.

Now, then, is it gold? Well... It says it is gold.

It is a brooch. I think that is the kind of brooch that a man could wear

as well as a woman.

It is actually quite cool. I mean, it is big.

It has the bling factor.

-Has it got a hallmark?

-Caroline, do you have a loop, do you,

-I could borrow?

-Oh, yes.

-Would you mind?

-No, have that.

I should have one of these with me,

but this is vital equipment when you are dealing in the bling world.

OK. So right in the middle of the body,

see if you can get your eye in and see that hallmark.

Describe what you see.

Is it 375? I think it is.

OK, so what's that, then?

-What grade of...

-That means it's English.

No. That means it's nine carat.

Oh, it's nine carat.

But it may well be English as well as having that.

So let's have a look. That is tiny.

-It is tiny.

-I think they are British hallmarks.

The marks indicate the brooch is nine-carat gold and made in 1968.

What were you doing in 1968?

1968. I had been... I was in England one year. I'd just arrived back,

I'd just arrived from Jamaica a year ago.

One year. So just look at that.

There you go. That was here, doing what it is doing right now,

exactly the same, and being a really cool brooch,

when you were seven or eight years old.

-Seven or eight years old.

-And it hasn't changed one bit.

What is the very best to us, Caroline?

-Be kind.

-Well, I have got 175 on it.

-What would, if...

-That's not going to give you much of a chance, though, is it?

-No.

-Would 130 cut it?

-I couldn't do it.

-I cannae do it, Jimmy.

See, look at that, I even had an accent.

-Yes.

-It just jumped out at the price!

-Interesting.

The strange things that happen on the Antiques Road Trip.

Well, 120, really, is...

It couldn't be 100 quid?

If you do 110.

-Shall we do it?

-Shall we?

-Whose hand do I shake?

-I think Linford Christie.

-I have got the money.

-Fabulous.

That generous deal secures our chaps their fourth item of the day.

-Well, there's another one for our collection.

-Indeed. And we got a good deal.

I think we got a great deal. It is a nice thing.

It has been a busy day of buying for our Olympians and experts,

so time for some sleep.

Nighty-night.

It's the next morning, and a typical British summer's day.

Linford and Katharine are en route to meet their experts.

So I'm letting you drive today,

myself and Christina are actually letting you drive a car that you can fit in.

Well, actually, Christina said to me, she took me,

it was a bit on the downlow, she said, "Listen, don't let Katharine drive that car again.

"Because you should drive, because..."

-Whoa!

-OK.

"You're a good coach, you taught her to run,

"but you could not teach her to drive."

There's a man on a bike here.

I'm warning him. Bad driver coming, sir. Be careful.

I don't think I have ever, ever, ever, ever,

ever met anyone quite as competitive.

Oh! Oh, right, gosh. Do not lose. I am telling you.

-I know, seriously.

-Don't lose.

-I know. Yeah.

She has got that killer winning instinct.

-I must win.

-She wants to get Linford.

-Yeah.

-Basically, I have no pressure.

-Yeah.

-You have loads.

-Yeah.

-Which makes me very happy indeed.

I do feel very under pressure.

Good.

Linford and David have had a storming start to their shopping, buying four items yesterday.

The shot glass set, the bronze Buddha, the Famille Rose plate,

and the gold brooch, leaving them £207 to spend.

-Yeah, I'm happy.

-Yeah.

-I'm happy.

Meanwhile, Katharine and Christina have just bought three items so far,

including the vintage old Glory, the Art Deco compact,

and the 1960s railway poster.

They still have £200 available to spend.

Oh, my gosh! You look like the Statue of Liberty!

So, if you just hold that, I mean, I mean, seriously,

if you could just help a bit, it'd be very...

-Just pull it.

-Is that the best brolly you could find?

-It's my favourite brolly.

-Just down over your head a bit more.

-I can't see anything. Are they arriving?

-They are.

-Perfect.

-Hang on a minute.

You're not going to leave me under this monstrosity.

-Morning! Stay in the car!

-Bonjour, bonjour.

-Good morning.

-Good morning.

-How are you?

-I'm good, thank you.

-Hello. This rain!

We're going in this car.

Oh, no more driving!

-Look at that. OK.

-We're going to have another good day.

-I'll take you to the dry... To the passenger seat.

-Indeed, sir.

Have fun, you two.

Don't buy anything too special.

-Are you in?

-I'm in.

-You're in.

-I'm good.

We're all a bit wet.

This morning, the gents are motoring towards Bracknell in Berkshire.

People have always said to me, "Why don't you do a marathon?"

Yeah. And I say, "What for?"

And they say, for fun. You know, why would 26 and whatever miles be fun?

You see, I would have thought, assumed that you would have thought all forms of exercise were fun.

No, no, no, it's not. It's...

Training, I mean, training, it wasn't fun.

And the training was painful.

I mean, you become kind of addicted to kind of pain.

Yeah. So therefore... Yeah, yeah.

I was an absolute exercise junkie.

Like, once I retired from athletics,

I could not find anything that motivated me enough...

-..in the same way.

-Really?

So there is a void and emptiness that's still there.

-Yeah.

-And, you know, I mean, you know...

Hence I have done some crazy TV shows, I did, you know,

jumped out of helicopters and stuff,

to try and find that adrenaline rush and everything else, but...

-But you haven't yet found it?

-I haven't found it.

-Come on, you're on the Antiques Road Trip.

-Oh,

it's coming, it's coming!

I can sense it, Linford, I can sense it.

Linford and David have arrived at Old Grain Barn Antiques...

-After you, sir.

-..hoping to add to their haul of items

to take to auction.

Originally part of a farm,

this old barn is now an antiques treasure trove.

So, tell me if anything speaks to you.

I will do, I'm just...

..looking and seeing what we've got.

OK. Charlie Chaplin.

Charlie Chaplin. My grandmother shook hands with Charlie Chaplin,

that was one of her greatest claims to fame.

Lovely piece. Only 20 quid.

We want something with a real bit of meat on it.

Something that we can really get a chance of making a profit.

Aha! What about this for meaty?

Have a look at this chest here.

Tell me what your thoughts are on that.

I'm going to ask you how old do you think it is?

I think it's... I don't know. It looks maybe about 60 years old?

It's more than 60 years old.

It's closer to 300 years old.

-Ooh!

-Exactly.

It's a 17th century, probably late,

maybe creeping into the 18th century, coffer.

Obviously it lifts up. So it's great for storage.

And they always have a little box on the inside,

to store candles.

And even though they're very old,

they don't make very much money these days.

-Oh, I see.

-So, you know, 100 quid, you could buy one.

-Which is mad, isn't it?

-It is indeed.

-Isn't it mad?

We'll get a price on it, just out of interest.

If it's a steal, we can consider it.

-OK.

-Dealer Stewart is the man to ask.

-What sort of money is that, Stewart? The little coffer?

-Um...

Well, I was looking for £125 for it, but...

Are you definitely going to win this race?

Well, with your help, we might.

I think the very best I could do is 95 on it.

-I'm... I'm...

-70?

90... I'm at 95 at the moment.

See, the five would be lonely on its own,

so 90 and then we've got a deal.

-Done.

-He's done it.

-He's done it, he's done it.

-Oh, you're good, boss. I'm...

You know what, I've been hanging out with this man

and I've learned something. I'm going to Tesco's and doing the same!

-Yeah, good luck with that one.

-I was going to say, yes,

-very good luck with that.

-Fantastic.

I think it's a big spend, I'm pleased,

and we bought some real furniture.

And a real antique.

A fabulous last find for our chaps.

Katharine and Christina, meanwhile, are making their way to Reading.

Well, I find your retirement from the sport absolutely fascinating.

Because... You have worked and worked and worked

and dedicated your life to your sport since you were 13 years old?

It was a unique career, and a long one,

and I never did half of what I wanted to do, because of injury.

I had a lot of injury problems.

I didn't wake up and decide to retire.

I had been injured, I had been having operations,

I had moved over to a different part of the world,

I was trying six times a week,

five hours a day,

and then I went to the track one day and I put my bag down and something

started hurting again, I was rehabbing from another knee

operation, I said, "I just don't want to do this any more."

And he went, "What, just today, or overall?"

Just today, a bad day?

He was kind of... And I went, "No, I've had enough."

-I'm done.

-I'm going to get upset.

-I'm so sorry! Yeah.

-Oh, no, don't!

-It's all right.

-Have I upset you now?

And I left and never went back, so...

But I was really lucky, because I'd

started doing broadcasting work when I was injured...

-Yeah.

-So I just kind of slipped into it and...

..and then started a new career, which has been great.

And in the sport within a sport that you are so passionate about.

-Yeah.

-Which is wonderful, isn't it?

The girls have arrived at their first shop.

Do you know, I have been here before.

-Well, that's a good sign.

-Right... OK.

And the wet weather certainly isn't dampening their spirits.

OK.

Let's go.

One of Reading's longest-running

antique havens, this place is packed.

Solid beech wood chopping board.

Grooved for... Grooved for gravy.

Oh, yeah.

There is just so much stuff.

Hey, look at those. You're into your fishing, aren't you?

-No?

-They're not very antique, really, are they?

No. Still might find a bargain.

Right, ladies, time to get serious.

Oh, yes.

Go? No way!

Stop. How cool is that?

Not exactly an antiques, Christina.

It's just so retro, like for someone's house or garden.

My God, I love that.

How much is it? Has it got a price on it?

Stop/Go sign, 22.

-I really like that.

-It's very...

I can see a bachelor in his house having his, you know...

I don't think I'm letting go of this.

-You liked that, didn't you?

-I really do, I think it's really funny.

Christina's smitten.

Better talk to dealer Will.

-Will he, or won't he?

-Will?

Yes. Well, go to us...

-Well, I am pleased to see...

-Come on, come on, come on.

Stop!

You chose the only antique here.

-Well, there we go.

-Amazing.

-Isn't it great?

-Yeah, it's great.

Yeah, and that... But that would be very good for you, wouldn't it?

If you could just sort of flash go and go sprinting off.

Aaaah!

And then at the end...

-Stop. Stop.

-This is not what I would expect to see, though, in a shop,

in a shop like this.

But that is kind of what I personally think is quite fun about it.

-Yeah.

-Will, you'll probably say the same, you walk into an antiques shop and you see...

-Yeah...

Chests of drawers, you'll see chairs, you'll see pots,

you'll see glass. When do you ever see a stop sign?

Is this the right price on it? What are we looking at here, then?

Well, no, it should be 122, really, shouldn't it?

It is unique, got to give you some sort of discount.

-12?

-Look, look, Christina appreciates it. 12. Yeah, 12.

-Yeah, go on. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

-Well spotted.

I'm really sorry if this doesn't make any money.

Don't worry, don't worry.

-I love it.

-It has got to make money at 12.

-Yeah.

-Well, let's hope so.

Our girls have secured their first purchase of the day.

-What a joke.

-Thanks, Will.

Bye.

I love this. I absolutely love it.

Hang on a minute. Here we go, here we go.

Stop! Stop! Please, stop. Come on, come on.

Come on.

Through you go.

Hang on a sec.

Go! Oh, no, stop!

Hang on a minute. Stop!

Oh, dear.

Our chaps, meanwhile, have journeyed

to Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire.

One of Britain's greatest sprinters,

Linford was the first of a new breed of athletes that defied age

as a barrier to perform,

winning his first major title at the age of 26.

This afternoon, David has brought Linford to learn about a fellow sporting

pioneer, but not in running, instead one of Britain's oldest sports -

-rowing.

-Should be interesting.

Indeed. I think we'll learn something.

They've come to the River and Rowing Museum to meet

historian Lisa Taylor, to find out more.

-Come with me.

-Thank you.

-After you, sir.

-Thank you.

With its roots in the 18th century,

rowing is one of the country's oldest competitive sports.

Its popularity grew as a gentleman's sport,

with competitions held at public schools and universities,

including the boat race between Cambridge and Oxford universities,

which first began back in 1829.

The women's boat race wasn't founded until nearly 100 years later.

Women, they came in a lot later into the sport.

Yeah, although earlier than a lot of people would think.

So when I was talking about the professional rowing, that existed for women as well,

certainly from the mid-late 19th-century you had female professionals that

were racing and were reported on in the newspapers.

And it wasn't a huge novelty.

They were participating in a competition

that was just part of their work as well.

But in terms of a more amateur kind of situation,

so more like the regattas and the races that we recognise today.

Then, yeah, we're looking really at the 1920s onwards,

where the women's sport really picks up pace.

Were there very many influential women in the world of rowing?

Certainly within Britain, most roads would lead back to a lady called Amy Gentry.

She started rowing in 1919 at the Victory Regatta in Weybridge.

And she subsequently went on to found a separate club,

the Weybridge Ladies Rowing Club, which still exists.

She also was heavily involved in founding the Women's Amateur Rowing

Association, so this was the first governing body for the women's sport.

And what about as far as the Olympics go?

We have a letter from her here, from 1927,

where she describes competing in the Olympics as her dearest wish,

and she's already petitioning the powers that be to include women's

rowing in the Olympics, but that wouldn't happen for another 50 years.

And tragically for her, in fact, she died about three weeks before the first Olympic regatta that had

women's racing in it. So you can see that definitely as almost the

fulfilment of a life's dream, just sadly, slightly after she had died.

My gosh, Amy must have been quite a maverick, was she?

She's very well renowned in the rowing community.

She's known as the indomitable Amy,

and she was definitely quite stubborn,

quite determined to get equality.

She wouldn't define herself as a staunch feminist.

Through her writing anyway, she says that it is not that kind of agenda,

it is just saying, we love the sport of rowing and we want to be able to

compete in exciting events.

She was awarded an OBE in 1968,

in recognition of her contributions to the sport.

She was only the second person in rowing to ever receive an OBE,

so for that to be have been a woman is quite unusual,

certainly at that point in the 1960s,

where the balance between gender and the awards was probably not what it

is today, certainly, in sport.

And you can look at, as I say,

people within women's rowing today

would say that her influence has been a big part

of what has got us to where we are,

where we regularly win gold medals and have been winning Olympic medals

for the last 16, 20 years in women's rowing.

That all of that is part of the trajectory that she really started

to shape from the 1920s.

-Thank you very much for coming along.

-Thank you.

It's clear that the success of women's rowing in Britain owes a great debt to Indomitable Amy,

who will be forever remembered as a pioneer in sport.

Back with our girls, who have also made their way to Henley-on-Thames,

where they've arrived at Tudor House Antiques and Collectables.

Hello. Hello, hello, hello, hello, hello.

-Christina.

-David. Pleased to meet you.

-Katharine.

-Nice to meet you, David.

-Nice to meet you.

-My goodness.

-Wowee!

-Wow!

OK. Talk about to the rafters, David.

-We have got a lot of stuff.

-You really have, haven't you?

-Wow!

-Magic.

-Are we all right to have a little look round?

-Yeah, carry on.

Home to the wares of over 20 dealers,

Katharine and Christina are on the hunt for a profit-making antique.

No more traffic signs, please!

Devonshire clotted cream?

I'm going to guess it's out of date, right?

I think it might be.

Ah!

Candlestick holders.

Well done, Katharine - I'm very proud.

-Brass.

-Yes.

-Oh, my gosh!

-I'm getting into it now, you see?

So, I'd say these are ecclesiastical candlesticks,

so probably stood on an altar.

-OK. Oh, wow, really?

-Originally in a church.

-OK.

-Obviously they've got quite a big diameter there.

They've got a good drip tray there.

-Yeah.

-Really rather smart, but quite trendy at the moment.

-Sort of...

-Yeah.

Big, chunky candlesticks - interior designers quite like them.

Fireplaces in big, nice rooms.

Yeah, exactly. It's got stamped "Made in England", there,

so probably it's going to be post about 1930.

OK. 75 for the...

-75 for the pair.

-Yeah.

-Yeah. OK.

-The brass candlesticks are one possibility.

Anything else?

Oh, I like this.

This is a rack. Is it a washing rack?

-Is it a...

-It is a rack.

I would always call this like a herb-drying rack.

-OK.

-So you'd have had it in your kitchen as a Victorian or Edwardian

lady, you would have gone into your garden, picked your herbs,

-and then you'd have dried them on that.

-Just laid them flat?

Yeah. Pull them up, put them in the kitchen.

Wow! So, how old then?

I'd say probably, what, turn of the century?

-You've got some good chains there, haven't you?

-Kind of quite heavy.

-Exactly. Yeah. Hello.

-Hello.

-You're modelling it beautifully.

-I am a piece of tarragon.

I like this.

This would appeal to... The right property, the right person,

in the right environment.

I think it is... It's a country kitchen piece, isn't it?

Yeah. We have no...

Where's the price on it? I can't see a price.

So, potentially, then, there's this and our candlesticks.

TIM: Right. David.

What's your best on the herb-drying rack?

That could be £30.

£30, OK.

We were sort of hoping maybe 15 or £20.

Let's go 20, then.

20. What's your thoughts?

Well, what do you think about the candlesticks?

Yeah. So these were 75.

I'm not sure you're going to get more off.

-Yeah.

-OK, then we'll take a few more off for every dent,

so we'll take that down a bit!

You say, candlesticks or rack?

I like them both, but if...

Personal choice, it doesn't mean it'll make any money,

just throwing it out there, I do like the rack.

-You like the rack.

-I can see that in somebody's kitchen,

I can just see it hanging with pans and stuff off it, yeah.

-OK.

-Yeah.

-David, can we do £15 on that?

-OK.

-Yeah!

-Such a nice guy!

£15.

And with that final splash of cash, our ladies are all shopped up.

-Thank you very much.

-Good luck.

-Thank you.

-Cheers.

I think we might need it.

-Cheerio.

-With both teams all spent,

it's time for "I'll show you mine, if you'll show me yours."

My favourite.

-Are you ready for this?

-This is where your heart sinks.

One, two, three...

Ooooh.

First of all, I thought that was prison bars.

Well, yeah, it might be.

Looks like something Katharine should be behind!

So we started off, we had quite a successful day yesterday,

we bought our poster, which you can see over here.

-What is that for? Is it railways?

-Railway poster, yeah.

Well done.

-Obviously railway specialists, railway collectors, isn't it?

-Poster collectors as well.

Convincing themselves here, by the way, just so you know.

This is, this is special. Because it has 48 stars.

Oh, it's an early one, then.

Yeah, how many should it have?

-50.

-50.

So, yes, we're very excited about this.

And then we decided to kind of go slightly more light-hearted,

because we were so pleased with our kind of serious bits.

Do they know you've got that?

Highways will be after you!

Would you like to see the winning team?

-Come on, then.

-You've built it up.

-Ready?

-What am I seeing here?

-So that's a communion tray?

Yes, it is. But it has, it's been upcycled.

Into a shot glass tray.

Someone from the Vatican already reserved the price.

-What is the...

-This empty box?

Have you lost something that you bought there?

I just want to point you in the direction of my male model.

Oh, that's nice. That's very cool.

It's a horse...

Oh, it moves! Oh, that's his pecs!

Look at the effect that had!

-Christina!

-You know at the auction you're going to have to do that to

maybe get a few extra pounds on that!

Steady on, Linford!

As much as it pains me to say this...

-Yeah.

-Very best of luck.

OK, do we wish our competitors luck?

-Oh, we can do that.

-Can we?

When you wish someone luck, because you know you've already won.

OK. OK. OK, lots of luck, guys.

-Come on, Linford.

-Enjoy your car boot.

I know you're very competitive, but don't stare them out.

Out of earshot, what do they really think of each other's pecs...

I mean picks?

I'm being blinded by the nine-carat and, oh, gold!

-The bling.

-And the, and the old, the age of the chest.

-I'm thinking...

-All that glitters is not gold.

Well, that's what I'm hoping.

I think the only thing they've got that's good is the flag.

I like the flag. I like the flag.

-Yeah, I like the flag, yeah.

-Anything else?

-No.

Don't feel concerned. We'll be fine.

-We will. I'm confident.

-Stay confident. Stay confident.

-Proper high five.

-Oh, yeah!

Yeah.

After starting in Weston-on-the-Green,

our teams have shot their way through Oxfordshire and Berkshire,

and Katharine and Linford are now hurtling towards Bourne End in

Buckinghamshire for the big finale.

Getting a bit... A bit nervous.

It's like the Olympics again now.

But there's no, there's no medals on the line.

May the best team win. Which will be us.

The best team... HE MIMICS AUCTIONEER

-I'm looking forward to seeing all that.

-What was that?

-That's what they do.

You know, they... Do I hear 21?

21, 22, 23. 250, 250...

No, that's a horse-racing person,

when they're shouting the odds out.

-No, no, no.

-You're in the wrong environment.

-No, they do that in auctions, too. Trust me.

TIM: He's right. Christina and David

have already arrived at Bourne End Auction Rooms.

I saw a couple of old road cones.

Do you want to put them together with one of your lots?

-It might help.

-There's two down there.

-Oh, here they come!

-Oh, hey!

-I've converted him. He's in pink.

-He's in pink!

In the pink!

-Boom! Look at that!

-It means he's feeling confident.

Morning. Linford, you know, it takes a real man to wear pink.

Oh, yes, and I'm a real man. That I am.

Nice to see you, nice to see you.

-Good morning, my dear, how are you?

-How are you feeling?

-Feeling good. Unfortunately, you're not going to feel like we feel, cos we're winners.

-Yeah.

-Exactly. Shall we go in, then?

-Come on, then.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Winners, winners first!

I don't mind. The champion's here. After you, my dear.

TIM: On this Road trip, Katharine and Christina spent £277,

giving them a total of five lots.

Stop! Come on!

Linford and David spent £283 on their five lots.

We're quite interested in this, sir, and how much would it be?

Simon Brown will be wielding the gavel today.

What does he make of our celebrities' items?

The silver enamelled Art Deco compact.

Compacts are very collectable.

It's a pretty piece.

It's useful, it's practical.

Yes, I can see that going quite well.

Silver-plated communion set.

Interesting. Nice, stylish piece.

Lovely little foot on it.

Nice shaped handle.

So, that's not a bad little lot.

Here we go. Time for the auction,

which has buyers in the room and online.

-How do you feel?

-A bit nervous.

-Yeah.

Linford is first up, with his shot glass set.

If it goes badly wrong, it's down to Linford.

If it goes well, it's down to my advice.

Start me at £20, please. There's 20 I'm bid. Thank you.

-20 straightaway. That's good.

-22, 25, 27, 30,

32, 35, 37, 40.

£37 now.

37, 37, all done.

- 40, 42. - Come on.

Yours at 40, are we all done now? Thank you.

Oh!

Well done, you got a profit.

£2 profit.

-Not a bad start.

-Any profit's a good profit.

Well done.

Currently, we're winning.

-Yes, we've only had one lot!

-I know, but, so?

At the moment!

TIM: That moment might not last long,

as here comes the girls' lovely Art Deco compact.

I'm even excited for you guys, as well.

-Aaww!

-Thank you.

I hope you're that excited when we actually do win at the end.

That would be nice.

Starting at £20, please. There's 20, I'm bid.

22, 25, 27, 30, 32, 35,

37, 40, 42, 45, 47, 50,

-55, 60.

-Got a long way to go.

-He's going to.

-He's going to go through it.

75, 80. 80 in the room. Got you at 80.

90 now online. 90, 95, 100.

Looking for 110 online.

-110.

-I'm so excited!

-120 online.

-130.

-I've got goose bumps.

-140 online.

-That's amazing!

-£140 now.

At 140 now, done.

That's how it's done!

You are currently winning.

TIM: I'll say.

That's a fabulous profit.

Right, chaps, can you claw things back with your Famille Rose plate?

Did they give you £20 to take this away or did you actually give over

£20 of your money?

Is that what you thought? We got the plate and £20?

Who'll start me at £20?

-20 I'm bid.

-No way!

-Wow!

-No way.

-Come on. Come on.

30, 32, 35...

-A bit more!

-Have you said that it's extensively damaged?

-32.

-Oh!

Staples are worth money, remember that.

OK, I will remember that.

This is proving a profitable auction for our British Olympians.

Will Katharine's American flag fare as well?

40 to start.

40 I'm bid.

Have got you on 40 in the room.

42. 42. 45. 47.

-That's nice, isn't it?

-It's a slow burner.

47 online. 47, all done. 47 now.

-Oh, no!

-All done?

-No!

Not over yet. It's not over yet.

-It's a roller-coaster.

-It's a marathon, not a sprint.

I still love you both, even though you're losing.

Actually, even with that loss, they're still in the lead, Linford.

Could your bronze Buddha change your fortune?

-I like the position Buddha is in, my favourite.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-Absolutely.

-It's lovely.

Start me at £20, please.

20 I'm bid.

22, 25, 27, 30.

Come on.

37, 40, 42, 45,

47, 50. 55. £50.

Come on, Buddha!

Last chance at £55.

Are we done?

My Buddha from another muddha!

He's already getting unbearable.

The gents' lucky streak continues.

And now you ARE in the lead.

Next up, the '60s British Rail poster that caught Christina's eye.

20. Anybody interested? 20 I'm bid.

Got you at 20, 25. 27.

-Come on, come on.

-27. 30 online.

Come on, pick up the pace, pick up the pace.

35. 35, 37. 40.