Episode 3 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip

-The nation's favourite celebrities...

-Ooh...

-Just want to 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.

Who will find a hidden gem?

I 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'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.

Let me get out of first gear.

This is the Celebrity Antiques Road Trip.

Yeah!

# I am the one and only... #

Today, in the beautiful county of Surrey,

we have two superstars of show business -

long-time friends, pop star Chesney Hawkes

and television personality Debbie McGee.

Chesney, since the moment we met, we always got on,

but I've never been in competition with you.

-No, are you competitive?

-I am, yeah, are you?

-Really?

Well, I am now that you've said you are!

Chesney's behind the wheel of a Triumph TR6.

I used to have a car like this, when I was...

It was my first big kind of crazy purchase

when I made it as a pop star back in the early '90s.

I had a triumph TR3 the same colour as this.

-Yeah?

-Yeah, so this brings back memories.

Although this one feels a lot more sporty...

Woohoo!

Chesney Hawkes shot to fame in 1991

with the hit single The One And Only.

The song spent five weeks at number one in the UK singles chart,

and Chesney's the son of music royalty,

his father Leonard Hawkes was a member of The Tremeloes.

# I am the one and only... #

Nowadays, Chesney spends his time as a singer-songwriter in LA.

No hands!

-I won't do the same thing.

-No, please don't!

Debbie McGee's career on the stage,

screen and airwaves has spanned almost four decades.

In 1979, it was her skills as a classically trained dancer

that landed her a job on The Paul Daniels Show.

Before long, she became Paul's magician's assistant

and the pair went on to marry in 1988.

It's the wife again!

Debbie and Paul performed alongside one another for a further 28 years.

For me, I think I'm just going to go with the heart

as far as my purchases.

Right, because we're going to have an antiques expert with us,

-and now...

-Yes.

-So, you know, do we follow what they're guiding us,

or do we go with our gut instinct?

Guiding them today in this impressive Jensen Interceptor

are two inimitable auctioneers -

Charles Hanson and Christina Trevanion.

Chesney Hawkes!

Chesney Hawkes, I can't believe it, honestly!

Right, calm down, you two!

This could be my big break, Christina. I'm...

You can laugh! This could be my late, late boy-band break.

-OK.

-No, I mean it.

But if you're happy, Christina,

would you mind if we almost pitch the men against the ladies?

Ooh, I quite like the sound of that!

Girl power versus boy power!

These two need to hurry up.

They've left our celebrities waiting...

I'm so excited.

Hello! Hi, guys. Sorry we're late.

CAR HORN BEEPS

Hello! There we go.

-Oops.

-Hello!

-Hello.

-It's quite hot in there.

-Hello!

-Hi.

-How are you? Sorry we're late.

-It was worth the wait.

-Chesney, I'm very nervous about meeting you.

-Shall we hug it out?

-Oh, yeah.

-Come on.

-Oh, Chesney.

Chesney Hawkes!

-So, is it girl power versus boy power, then?

-I think so.

I'm all right with that.

We're all set, Chesney. Are you up for the antiques...?

I am ready to rumble!

And then suddenly, Debbie disappears!

There we go.

You've got some Debbie lipstick on you.

Have I? Thanks a lot, Chesney. Touched by the Hawkes!

Let's go.

Let's see where our intrepid antiquers are off to, shall we?

Starting off in Reigate, Surrey,

they will negotiate their way

around the south-east

before heading to auction in Ruislip.

-So obviously this is a competition.

-Yeah.

-And we want to win, don't we?

-Yes.

-The girls have to win.

-Exactly!

-Come on, we've got to put those boys in their place.

So, I know that Chesney kind of acted as if he wasn't competitive.

-Yeah?

-But I don't think anybody in show business isn't competitive.

Exactly! You have to be, don't you?

Yeah. So, I don't think he's a brutal competitor.

-Yeah?

-I think he'll be subtle.

Speaking of subtle...

If ever you want a wingman...

If ever you're looking to create a band.

-Do you play an instrument?

-No, no... But I...

-But you dance?

But I can get it out on a stage.

I can dance. I'm available. Because... I've never been to LA.

-But I'd be happy out there.

-OK.

Well, it's not LA, but it is one of

Surrey's oldest market towns - Reigate.

Old Post Office Antiques is Chesney and Charles's first destination.

Thank you for having us, I'm Chesney.

-Pleasure.

-Nice to meet you.

-Very nice to meet you.

-And Charles.

-I'm Charles. Lovely to meet you as well.

-What's your name?

-Jill.

-Jill? OK.

-Great, Jill.

-Wow, Jill - you've got a wonderful booty of antiques.

Do wander through, do wander.

We will indeed. And I think, chief,

what you and I will do is get digging for victory.

-Yeah, absolutely.

-Digging for...

I already saw a little thing that I like.

-The little chair in the window, here.

-You've got sharp eyes!

-Yeah.

-You're like a Hawk-Eye.

-Aah, you see!

This chair would have once been used by Victorian children to...

..do their business.

-Why does it appeal to you?

-I don't know,

I don't think I've ever seen anything like that, to be honest.

No, why I quite like it is,

obviously almost it's a very grand little child's, I suppose -

a little potty chair, Jill, is it?

-A potty chair. Yes.

-So you put a potty underneath it?

-Yes, that's right.

-Yeah.

-I like it because it's got some age.

This on the ring-turned baluster legs, and the stretcher,

would date to maybe 1890.

-Right.

-But, of course, it is a toilet, really, isn't it?

It's a... Yeah, so that doesn't appeal to you so much?

No, I like it, because it's... It's interesting.

Wipe your hands... £35.

Have you got a best price, Jill, on the chair?

My rock bottom, because it's so lovely and I like it - 30.

30.

-What do you think, Charles?

-And it is nice.

And that's a small plop down from 35.

Oh, Charles, please!

-Fine.

-I like it.

I mean, we have got £400.

I'm happy to go along with the price.

You know what, I think for £30, it's a fairly safe bet.

-OK, good. You have a deal.

-Shall we shake her hand?

-Sold.

-Brilliant.

Good deal. Let's check in with Debbie and Christina,

who have motored their way to Betchworth,

a village in the Mole Valley district of Surrey.

Goodness me, this doesn't look like your archetypal antique shop, does it?

It wasn't what I was expecting.

No. But sometimes...

That looks exciting!

This barn is rammed with ecclesiastical furnishings,

furniture, fixtures and fittings.

I wonder why they've sent us here.

Do you think they think we're angels?

Maybe! Or maybe they think we need to redeem a few sins!

Oh, lordy. I'm not sure this is quite the place to do that!

My concern is that we're going to a general auction,

so I think we need to be probably slightly broader than buying

something that is very specialist.

Let's go for general appeal, I think.

-Yes.

-Rather than something completely niche.

Let's leave Debbie and Christina to browse,

and see what the boys are up to in Reigate.

-Oh, look.

-What we've got here...

-The duelling banjos.

If I said to you,

these are warming pans of 1880,

but if you were now rolling back to 1991,

what might you just be playing?

I don't know quite what you're getting at, to be honest.

I think he wants you to sing The One And Only. Oh, dear.

It could be quite rare, it could be the one.

-Oh, man!

-Sorry!

Yeah, OK, that's good.

One and only.

It is, isn't it? I thought you were going to play it then.

Shall we go back to silent browsing?

Good luck with that, Chesney.

That's quite interesting.

Oh, right, a weather vane.

I really quite like that. It is a weather vane, and it is cast iron,

but what really sets it off for me is look at that subject.

-Can you see what it is?

-It's obviously from a school, isn't it?

A, B, C.

A very stern schoolmarm up there. How old would this be?

I'm hoping it's around 1920.

It's something, with the wind blowing in the right direction,

that way...

Exactly, is coming round.

..it could do quite well.

Well, she has it for 250.

It's a real gamble.

-I like a gamble.

-I like a gamble as well.

I like a gamble. Maybe we could get her down a little bit more.

Stand by, Jill.

-Hi, Jill.

-Yes, now...

So we've had a good look around.

-Yes.

-We've seen all sorts of treasures.

We have our eye on one particular thing.

-My weather vane.

-Yes.

Lovely, isn't it?

-I love it.

-Well, that's a shame you love it so much.

I was hoping you might say it's got to go.

It's been taking up room in the shop for so long!

What would be the very, very best price for a humble man

and my wingman here?

Oh, yes, yes.

-200?

-What kind of price would a weather vane...

What would you be looking at?

Well, it's the one and only I've ever seen, really. Sorry! Sorry!

You just don't give up, do you, Charles?

Get back to it.

-150?

-Yeah.

Yeah.

Yes.

Jill, would you come anywhere near 150?

-180.

-Oh, it's up to you, chief.

-It's down to me?

-It's a gamble.

-Come on, then.

-We'll do it, thank you!

-Thank you very much.

A gamble it is.

That's the weather vane and the potty chair for £210.

-Are you all right there, mate?

-Just about.

See to that, will you?

-My new roadie.

-It's a bit heavy.

I think he was hoping to be in the band, Chesney.

Let's see how the girls are getting on over in Betchworth.

There's a lot of benches around here, aren't there?

Yes, but I'm quite liking this.

I could see that in somebody's kitchen.

I do like that.

Quite a trendy colour, this, the distressed grey blue.

See, that's a bit random that that's in here, though, isn't it?

Yeah. It doesn't look church-like.

It hasn't got a drawer.

You know, I love that colour.

This is years and years and years of wear.

So many people try to replicate this wonderful sort of distressed look,

and it just always looks a bit forced, it looks a bit fabricated,

doesn't it? But this is actually genuine wear.

This is a table that has been used.

Is it quite...? It's not that heavy.

I think the thing that sells it to me is the price is £55,

which is a great start, but this colour...

I was actually thinking that we might get him down a bit on that.

Debbie, I'm loving your work.

I think we can.

In the right hands, this table could be brought back to life

and be rather stylish.

Time to talk to shop owner Lawrence.

-Debbie and I saw this table.

-Voila.

-Table project.

Yes, project, I think, is the word, really.

We were just a bit surprised at the price, weren't we?

Because there is a drawer missing.

-This panel is all cracked. Not very good.

-Indeed.

What could you do that for, darling?

30 quid. There you go.

-What's your thoughts about £30, Debs?

-I'd buy that for 30.

-Yeah?

-I would.

-Shall we do it?

Do you think we'd sell it for more than that at auction?

I hope so. Like you very rightly say, it's a project piece,

but it's a trendy piece, it's in vogue right now.

I think £30 is fair.

-Yes?

-OK.

-£30, Lawrence, you have a deal.

-Marvellous.

-Deal done.

-Thank you, Lawrence.

-You're welcome.

-Yes, Christina has got the money.

I'm just the money.

With the oak table purchased, it is time to hit the road.

Let's check in with Chesney and Charles,

who are travelling to Dorking.

-Chesney, I know you're enjoying shopping.

-I'm loving it.

And you're getting stuck in to the antique flavour of the treasures,

but it's now time,

I'm going to take you on a little treat, to take you back and to learn

about a man called Chesney Allen.

-Oh, yes!

-Ring a bell?

It certainly does. Obviously, Chesney Allen, I was named after.

He was my grandfather's favourite singer.

But I don't really know much about him.

So I would love to find out more about my namesake.

-This is your life.

-OK, I love it.

A Hawkes family favourite,

Chesney Allen was one half of the music hall double act

Flanagan and Allen.

Our Chesney and Charles are approaching Dorking Halls

to learn more about the duo

who helped revolutionise music hall comedy.

Where did that guitar come from?

Brian O'Gorman of the British Music Hall Society is here too greet our duo.

Nice to meet you.

Brian, I am fascinated to hear about my namesake, Chesney Allen.

Well, the act of Flanagan and Allen is archetypal, really.

Chesney Allen was the straight man,

and they stood side by side on the stage,

and told jokes and one-liners and sang songs.

And they were quite successful for a while,

and then the business had a slump.

During the interwar years,

music hall comedy with its predictable performances

was waning in popularity.

Unable to compete with talkies on the silver screen

and the newly-purchased radios and gramophones in British homes,

Flanagan and Allen were ready to hang up their hats.

What turned them around?

They had come by the famous song Underneath The Arches.

Yes. # Underneath the arches... #

Correct. It had a wonderful lilt to it,

and the words are easy to remember,

and they had a week's work at the Empire Sheffield.

And they were singing the song,

and in the middle of the week,

the manager has to ring up the head office of Moss Empires in London

-and say the business is sensational.

-Amazing.

It's all down to Flanagan and Allen singing Underneath The Arches.

It was my grandfather's favourite song.

And the next thing, they are booked in to the Palladium.

Under the management of legendary theatre director George Black,

the London Palladium set about

enticing British audiences

back into the playhouse,

influenced by the fast-paced comedians

from the American cabaret scene,

and with falling ticket sales at the forefront of his mind,

Black got to work.

Well, he brought in double acts, several of them together.

The idea being that they would make the comedy very fast-moving

and not dwell on the stage.

They would come on in other people's acts,

they would go round to the audience

and take people's coats and hats and shoes off.

-Total mayhem.

-Total mayhem.

Billed as The Crazy Gang,

Flanagan and Allen and their fellow double act performers

were a huge hit, with shows that ran for months on end.

So, I guess these shows ran right up to the war,

but what happened to Flanagan and Allen during the war?

What happened then?

Well, the first thing was a bomb fell on the Palladium.

-So that brought...

-That'll do it!

Then they had to go and just do their own act,

but Flanagan and Allen, of course,

had a store of extremely popular songs

which captured the popular mood of the war.

The gentle uplifting nature of the songs of Flanagan and Allen helped

maintain the performers' popularity throughout the war years.

Ditties like the touching Miss You and the humorous Run Rabbit Run,

became ubiquitous.

# Run, rabbit, run, rabbit, run, run, run

# Run, rabbit, run, rabbit, run, run, run

# Bang, bang, bang, bang goes the farmer's gun

# So run, rabbit, run, rabbit, run, run, run. #

-Oi!

-Oi!

What a great song. And that legacy, Brian, of Flanagan and Allen,

just tell me what it's done?

Well, the legacy informed the comedy and the performance

of so many modern comedians of the 1950s.

People like Benny Hill, for instance,

heavily influenced by them.

-Carry On films?

-Also the Carry On films, very much.

Jimmy Perry's comedy writings,

and, of course, latterly Morecambe and Wise.

-Morecambe and Wise, of course.

-And these are inescapable influences.

I was actually named after Chesney Allen,

so his name came up a lot as I was a child,

and I always wanted to know where the name came from,

so I wrote this letter saying,

"Dear Mr Allen, I was named after you,

"and I would love to know where the origin of our name came from."

I sent it off and he literally died the week later.

You don't know where it came from, do you?

I certainly don't. What I know is that it's a wonderful stage name.

-Well, it's worked for me!

-And our performance must go on, mustn't it?

Yes, we have to go on. Thank you so much, Brian.

-Pleasure to meet you.

-I'm thrilled. My pleasure.

-Will you play us out?

What do you want me to play?

-One And Only?

-I'll play the chords if you sing.

-OK.

# I am the one and only... #

How did I end up singing?

# Nobody I'd rather be

# I am the one and... # You're supposed to be singing!

# You can't take that away from me. #

We did it! Thank you very much, partner!

They call us Hanson Hawkes, or Hawkes Hanson.

-Thank you, Brian.

-Pleasure. I didn't know that song.

I'm not surprised.

Meanwhile, Debbie and Christina are motoring the Jensen

eight miles north towards the village of Ashtead.

Tell me about Debbie McGee at ballet school,

because I am fascinated by your early career in ballet.

Well, my mum watched all the Hollywood musicals and I used to

dance around the house copying them, as I'm sure every girl does,

but I was sent to a little dancing school.

Was that the initial impetus, I want to be in show business?

Yes. I didn't actually mind if I was an actress, a ballet dancer,

a commercial dancer, I just loved glamour.

It was all about the glamour,

I wanted to be like the Hollywood movie stars.

Well, here's hoping that the Attic is glamorous enough for Debbie.

-It's so small!

-How do you know that? It might go back for miles!

Well, I'm going by this!

It's not very wide, I'll give you that. Well, you were right!

It may be small, but it is packed to the rafters.

What's the strategy, then, girls?

What shall we do, split up and have a look?

Yes, OK.

There we go, that's done!

I mean, when you normally walk into an antique shop, what would you do?

I would just start looking from one end and go round to see if there's

anything that took my eye.

That took my eye as we walked through the door.

It's just got such a great sense of movement.

It's a dancer, it's you.

So, there's a thought.

What's next?

What do you think of this, Debbie?

It was on the stairs.

-Good make, is it?

-Well, if I saw that pattern,

especially this lobed rim here,

-I would think instantly, Scottish Wemyss.

-Right.

Wemyss is very collectable.

But is it impressed at all?

-Doesn't look like it?

-Are you impressed at all?

Well, I mean, I think it's pretty,

but I wouldn't know whether that would sell.

And it's very cracked.

It is very cracked, I give you that.

And it hasn't got Wemyss on the bottom of it.

Made in Scotland, makes me think...for...

I just wonder whether that might be worth taking...

-Well, let's find the price.

-Yes.

Well, I suggest you summon the dealer.

-We should ask a price on your dancer as well.

-Yes, definitely.

-Hello!

-Hello!

-Hello, hello, hello!

-We've just arrived.

-Have you? Nice to meet you.

-Very nice to meet you.

-Who are you, sir?

-Gary. Gary Watson.

-Gary, lovely to meet you.

-I've brought Debbie with me today.

-Hello, Gary.

Where's that come from, Gary?

It's Scottish, probably Wemyss.

A bit of damage.

The technical term is a bit jiggered, isn't it?

A bit jiggered, right, I'll remember that, I'll use that again.

What have you got on that, Gary?

Because of the damage, it will be very reasonable.

-£10.

-£10?

-Yes.

-For this?

-Yes.

OK. Well, I don't think we'll haggle with that.

I think we'll have that. That's marvellous, that's one in the bag.

-One item bought.

-Lovely.

-Thank you.

-I'll line them up by the door.

OK!

What else have you got in mind, Debbie?

Right. I've spotted a clock over here.

I don't think it's antique, but I just like the look of it.

-I can't find a silver hallmark on it.

-It just looks lovely.

It's got this wonderful... See how it looks like

this lightly hammered finish, what we call planished?

It just looks like a really good-looking thing.

It's turn-of-the-century, looks Arts and Crafts,

looks like a handwrought beautiful piece.

I really like that, Debbie.

The ticket price on the Arts and Crafts

silver-plated mantel clock is £45.

I like that, good spot, very good spot.

Do we think that's a good price?

-I don't think that's bad.

-Shall we line it up?

Line it up. Absolutely.

So, that's the Wemyss-style jardiniere and the mantel clock

waiting by the door. What's next?

Debbie, you liked the Art Deco sort of style bronze figure over there.

-What's the price on that?

-£160.

It's a bit much.

Yeah, I think she's decorative in a sort of £80-120, £100,

somebody taking a punt on it, but...

Was there anything you spotted that might be better, do we think?

I think that. This amber necklace here.

What's the story behind this, Gary?

I've been told it's not amber.

Very similar, but not.

Real amber is very sought-after in the current market,

particularly with the Chinese and in this butterscotch colour.

To test it, rub it against your thigh, if it smells of resin,

it might be amber.

This is going to be a risky purchase.

-OK, what's on that?

-£80.

How do you feel about a gamble?

We might fall out if it loses money.

-Will we?

-Yes.

-What?

-Look, it may be small, but it nips.

Debbie McGee!

For your sake, Christina, you'd better get a good deal from Gary.

£30.

If we did £30 on that.

We've got ten on the Wemyss pot, and how much did you say on the clock?

45.

So, 40, 50, 60, 70,

£80 for the lot.

OK.

Nice haggling there, Christina,

that breaks down to £10 on the Wemyss-style jardiniere, cracked,

£40 on the Arts and Crafts mantel clock, a cracker,

and £30 on the necklace, potentially amber, possibly.

-And £80.

-Gary, thank you very much. Loved your shop.

Thank you very much.

-Fantastic.

-I think we've done well.

I think we've done very well. Thanks, Gary.

-Thank you.

-Goodbye, cheerio.

That's the first day done on this road trip.

So, nighty-night.

A new day and our two stars are back in the TR6.

So, yesterday, was it a good fun day?

I had an absolute blast.

My jaw aches from laughing.

Charles is hilarious.

You know when you talk about chemistry

and you feel there is a chemistry amongst boys?

-There's chemistry.

-There's chemistry?

-Really?

-Honestly. We just click. I think you call it a bromance.

He keeps telling me that he wants to form a boy band with me.

Hawkes and Hanson!

Hanson Hawkes, I think.

-Hanson Hawkes. Oh, my goodness.

-He wants his name first, of course.

We'll have to have a word with that boy.

But I'm relegating him to roadie.

That was a good idea. Roadie?

Roadie, what do you mean?

I don't really know. Roadie is a step below being in a band.

Yeah, quite a big step.

Debbie and Christina were shopping sensations yesterday,

bagging themselves four items -

the distressed oak table, a Wemyss-style pottery jardiniere,

the Arts and Crafts mantel clock and the possibly amber necklace,

leaving them with £290 to spend today.

Chesney and Charles bought two items -

the child's potty chair and the Edwardian weather vane.

That leaves them with £180 to play with today.

CHRISTINA LAUGHS

What are you giggling at?

-What are you wearing?

-My hat.

It's a lovely... I thought I would impress Chesney with a 1920s...

A bit of that. And I can go...

What are they up to?

You sit. Ooh!

Oh, sorry. Hello.

-Good morning.

-Morning, morning.

Morning!

We didn't know we were meeting Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire.

So how are we both?

Very well, thank you.

Hold on, round you come.

Oh, no, it's broken.

-Did I do that?

-No, it doesn't matter, we'll do a swap later.

I think you should swap. Swap hats.

Oh, I say. There we go.

-You look like a matador.

-You've got a little piece coming down here.

There we go. I mean, look.

Actually, you wear it well.

You still look ridiculous. Come on, we're busy.

-It's a big day shopping for us.

-Exactly.

-Ladies, good luck.

-I'm so sorry about the hat.

-See you later on.

Have fun. See you later.

-Right, are you ready to drive, Ms McGee?

-I am.

Goodbye.

Hey!

That's fantastic.

Where are we going? Right, seatbelts on.

Both teams, this morning, are headed for Farnham.

In the TR6, Hanson Hawkes are in rehearsal.

# I woke up this morning

# Climbed in a car with a crazy man

# And I took him on a journey

# Of antique treasure

# Where we get the measure

# Of the treasure we're gonna buy today

# I got the Hanson Hawk blues. #

Not being disrespectful to Charles at all...

-No.

-But we could say to Chesney,

had he ever thought of having two girl backing singers?

And we could be the band.

# Do-wop be-doo-be doo-be Do-wop be-doo-be doo-be

# Do-wop be-doo-be doo-be Do-wop... #

What would Charles do? Hand out the popcorn.

I think we could have Charles as the conductor.

I see him as a conductor.

Yeah, all the arms, you're right.

He'll bring us in when it's for the backing singers.

-No, but he wouldn't get it right.

-We wouldn't be following him.

At the shop, Chesney and Charles are arriving first.

-I can already see stuff I'm interested in.

-Fantastic.

Let's get in there before the girls get in.

Yeah, the girls aren't here yet.

Better get inside quick!

Take it all in, there is an aura in here,

you can really smell the antiques, can't you?

Oh, look. A gramophone here.

-Is it a gramophone?

-Yes, I think so.

Yes. Oh, that's nice.

Hello.

Dulcetto. Made in England.

-Shall we see if it works?

-All the records are up here as well.

-I like it.

-Just grab a record.

So, this...

..says it is a 1930s Garrard wind-up gramophone.

MUSIC PLAYS SLOWLY AND FADES

Like us, it almost needs a recharge, and it is slowly dying.

THEY LAUGH

-How much is it?

-£125.

I mean, the market has rocketed for this type of box gramophone,

pre-World War II.

-I like it.

-There's a handle here, makes it portable

if you want to take it to a club, you know, if you're a DJ.

They're here before us, what do we do?

I hope they haven't got all the goodies.

This is our last chance to find something

that's going to make us squillions.

You'd better get hunting, then.

See, these are fab, aren't they?

-Yeah, gosh.

-These are great display pieces

and beautifully painted on here.

Look at those little cherubs frolicking there.

So, can you see, you've got the white of the original porcelain...

can you see how that almost looks like an ice cream colour?

-Yeah.

-That's restoration.

-Right.

-But if you knock your teeth against the original porcelain,

it feels...

..very hard, and really clinky.

Whereas if you knock your teeth...

..against the restoration, it almost feels soft.

Oh, wow.

Have a go. We haven't had breakfast this morning.

-OK.

-Can you feel that? So then, the restoration,

which is that cream bit...

-Oh, yeah, there's quite a difference.

-There really is.

That's a good way, if you're not entirely sure

whether there is restoration, just have a...

We should sign those now, where we put our teeth.

Yeah! Left my dentures in there, don't know about you!

Song, anyone?

-Must be the radio.

-Oh, yeah, hey!

-Hi, guys!

-Hi!

We thought it might be you!

-Here we go.

-Come on, guys, come on, come on.

Ladies, go...

# Do-wop be-doo-be doo-be

# Do-wop be-doo-be doo-be do-wop. #

Can you sing?

-Did we pass the audition?

-No, I like it!

Very nice! It's like the Supremes all over again!

-Yeah, exactly.

-You have got some antiques to buy, though, guys.

-Yeah, but sometimes you need space to think about things.

-OK.

All right, we'll leave you in your space,

and we'll go and do what we're here to do, which is buy antiques.

See you later, girls.

So, while Chesney tickles the ivories,

let's see if anything tickles Debbie and Christina's fancy.

Gosh, you're good. Come on, let's go!

I'm warmed up, I've lost my hat!

Oh, Carlos.

Goodness! Oooh, sparkly things.

-All I can think of is there's a lot to clean.

-Yeah!

-What about that?

-I don't even know what that is, Christina.

-What you think it is?

-It look like a sample bottle.

-Yeah?

-A posh one.

OK, you can hold it now.

This is a conical flask.

-Oh!

-And it would have originally been in a sort of leather holder,

or a leather pouch,

that you would have worn on a day out,

or a day out in the country, or a sporting activity or something.

-OK.

-So you would have had it as a flask.

What's really nice is that usually, some of the time,

you see these in silver-plate.

But this has got a lovely full hallmark, just there.

-Oh, yeah?

-The silver top.

-Yeah, I can see it.

So, let's have a look at the price.

I mean, I don't... £34.

Well, it seems like a good price as it's silver.

Yeah, that doesn't seem bad at all, does it?

So, I think it's really nice, I think that's quite a good buy.

And if we could get it for 25, £20-ish, that might be quite...

-It's worth going for.

-Yeah.

-So, shall we do this?

-Yeah, let's.

-Are you ready to haggle?

-I am.

Time to see what shop owner Hilary has to say.

Well, we found this item that we are very, very interested in.

It's great, isn't it?

But it's just a little above what we wanted to pay.

It belongs to one of the dealers and 30 is the lowest I can go.

You couldn't do 25?

Well, no, I'd get beaten up if I did, so...

-Oh, gosh!

-Oh, well, we don't want that.

No, we definitely, definitely don't want that.

-What's your thoughts, darling?

-I think we should go for it at 30

cos I don't think we're going to get better than that.

No, I mean, it's a good thing...

-Yeah.

-It's a nice thing, we're buying it with our hearts and heads,

we know it's going to potentially make us a little bit of a profit.

Obviously, 25 would be better, but...

-So, so sorry.

-We do not want to get you beaten up, Hilary!

-No, we don't, do we?

-There you go, thank you very much.

-Thank you so much, Hilary.

-Thank you, bye-bye.

-Hey, that's it, last one!

-Yeah!

A good thing, and a good deal.

Best of all, no-one got beaten up.

Let's see what Hanson Hawkes are up to -

the two titfers.

How about that?

The first thing that says to me is, "Look at me, hold me."

Yeah, it's so tactile, it's very heavy!

It looks really early, but I suspect it's that gorgeous sort of

French indigenous timber.

And this would be 19th century, maybe 1880.

-Oh, really?

-Second half 19th...

-So, that old?

-Yeah, I do.

Interesting piece, this large wooden mallet.

Not only does it look well used and pretty old,

it may also appeal to treen collectors at auction.

-How much is it?

-It is...

£45.

Yeah, it feels like a gavel in the hand, you know?

-Yes, exactly!

-Sold!

And I think it's very nearly a sold at that price.

-What's it worth?

-Do think we can get it down to 30, maybe?

-I think, if you could buy that for £30, I would be very happy.

-Yeah.

So, that's the plan.

Let's go and hit Hilary with it.

-Hello, there!

-Hi, Hilary.

-Hello.

-How are you doing?

-Very well, thank you.

-How are you doing?

-Here's our main man. We've had a lovely shop.

-Right.

-Wow.

-I say, what a whopper.

Quite a beast, isn't it?

Yes. Yes, we like the whopper, and the other is the gramophone that...

Oh, right, yes.

So, do you think you have a best price

for us for the two items together, as a deal?

-Well...

-Would you hammer it down?

-They do, actually... Oh, yes!

-I love your top, you're looking...

Yeah, you're looking gorgeous, by the way.

Oh, I bet you say that to all the ladies!

You are such a charmer, Charles.

-Well, fortunately, this belongs to me, so I can make that 35.

-Right.

-We love music, and of course...

-Yes, as we do.

With that gorgeous gramophone,

we just want to really go out with a high note.

I do, and I... Very nice.

-It's quite pricey, it's 125.

-Yeah, 125.

-I'll give you a discount.

-Whisper how much.

-Lean in, lean in.

-95.

-So, 95 plus 35 equals...

-130, isn't it?

-It's 100... It's 130.

Is that the best you can do for us?

-I'll be honest, I...

-OK.

I think this is great, and I think, at £35,

it's worthy of a hard punt.

But if there was any scope for a bit of discount on the gramophone...

OK, I could give you another ten on the gramophone.

-Oh, you're joking.

-Would that help?

-Yes, it would.

-Sold!

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you so much, Hilary,

for being so gracious with your discount.

Thank you very much. Thank you. Oh, I say!

Looks like your charm's paid off!

That's the mallet for £35 and the gramophone for £80.

Back on the road, chaps!

So, got the DJ box!

-And we're quids in, hopefully.

-Let's go to the club.

-Yeah.

Let's see where Debbie and Christina have gotten to.

What makes Debbie McGee tick?

I love sculpture.

-Oh, really?

-Paul was sculpted by a famous sculptor called David Wynne,

and he's amazing.

Debbie and Christina are headed to

the Watts Gallery artist's village

in Guildford.

It houses artwork and sculpture

by one of the Victorian era's greatest artists.

If you'd like to follow me,

we can take a look at the art of George Frederick Watts.

Oh, can't wait!

Dr Nicholas Tromans, the gallery curator,

is on hand to guide them through some of Watts's most notable works.

So, who is our man Watts?

Well, George Frederick Watts was born about 200 years ago,

and he was a sculptor, painter, draughtsman,

creator of huge frescoes and murals.

He had a go at just about everything.

His contemporaries even called him England's Michelangelo.

Was it something that he'd been doing all of his life?

Well, he began his career at the age of ten,

apprentice to a Soho-based sculptor.

I find it very hard that he started this at the age of ten.

I mean, that's phenomenal, isn't it?

I mean, he didn't decide that, I assume?

No, we know very little, of course, about his very, very early years.

But we do know that he had a sad upbringing in that

he lost his mother, he lost his three brothers as a child.

It was not a wealthy family to start with,

and so, I should imagine, his father was grateful to be able to find that

the lad had this talent and instinct for art,

and was able to find somewhere for him to go, effectively, to school.

But to school not to study, you know, languages and maths,

but to study art from an extremely early age.

-Oh, wow.

-So he has a 70-year career, because he died at the age of 87.

It was towards the end of this long career,

that Watts' focus shifted to large-scale sculpture.

Watts did not make many sculptures, he made a few,

but they were very significant and influential.

And his real fascination in sculpture

was trying to capture a sense of the human form,

or maybe the whole of humanity in a sense of change,

evolution, a dynamic process taking place in front of your eyes,

which obviously, in a static medium of sculpture,

is an extremely great challenge.

On display here are two models of his most celebrated work.

This is physical energy,

a sculpture that Watts worked on for no less than 20 years,

from 1884 down to his death in 1904.

A horse and rider, obviously, but more than that, an allegory,

a symbol of humanity's progress.

And the human being's instinctive urge to go forwards,

to discover the next challenge.

And eventually, it was cast in 1902 for Cape Town,

then a few years later for Kensington Gardens in London.

Then, there's another cast in Harare,

so it's an image that has been spread around the whole globe.

When Lincoln Cathedral decided to commission a sculpture

of the late poet laureate, Sir Alfred Lord Tennyson,

his old friend, George Watts, was the obvious choice.

Watts began work in 1898, and it took him five years to complete.

And isn't it fascinating that both of them are very similar in scale,

but they couldn't be more different in subject?

The movement in that one, and the stillness and contemplation of that.

Interesting note, good point.

This sculpture is all about extrovert energy

exploding all over the place.

The sculpture of Tennyson is all about this huge,

powerful, physically powerful,

intellectually powerful man staring

at what we are supposed to understand is a tiny little flower

in the palm of his hand.

The idea being that the poet believes that if he could just

understand why this little flower was quite so beautiful,

then the mysteries of the universe would be unveiled to him.

So, it's a very centred, concentrated, introverted image,

despite its huge scale.

Though Watts' skill as a sculptor was acknowledged the world over,

he was best known as one of the most prolific painters of the period.

So, can you tell us about some of Watts' most famous works?

Sure! Well, Watts was probably most famous of all for paintings which

dealt with the great, big themes of life -

life, death, truth, justice and Hope,

which is hanging right next to us.

This has been leant to our exhibition.

It shows a blindfolded young woman seated on top of a globe,

and she's trying to play her musical instrument, a lyre.

But if you look closely, you can see that the lyre only has a single

remaining string, all the others are broken.

So, it's an image of someone who really shouldn't be hopeful at all.

They don't know where they're going, they don't know what they're doing,

they're trying to make sense of the world,

but they're probably failing to do so.

And yet, the picture is called Hope.

And probably because of that fantastic tension in the figure,

but also in the meaning of the work.

It's a painting which, in reproductions,

has really travelled the world and had impact on people all over

the globe, most famously perhaps Barack Obama, who, as a young man,

when contemplating a move from the law into politics,

we're told went to hear a sermon at a Chicago church,

where the pastor created a whole sermon based on this image,

encouraging the congregation to not give up hope,

even when there didn't seem to be any evidence that hope was viable,

you should still keep hoping.

And of course, that became a great campaign slogan for Obama in his

ultimately successful bid to become president.

So, we can honestly say

this painting has had a massive impact on history.

As one of the finest artists of the Victorian era,

Watts firmly secured his place in the annals of art history.

His desire to convey a message of inspiration and change

has well and truly been fulfilled.

Let's check in with our boy band, shall we?

Here they come.

On a serious note, to roll back to '91...

And you had, I suppose, that hit of all hits,

which I can't get out of my head, even now.

It was madness, actually. Erm...

Cos one minute I was playing piano in pubs and wine bars,

and stuff like that, and the next minute,

I was playing arenas and travelling the world as a...

..as a pop star. You know, it was pretty crazy.

Hanson-Hawkes' next stop is the market town of Alton in Hampshire.

Somewhere here, there should be a shop.

-What? Just along here?

-Can you see a shop anywhere?

-I can't see a shop yet.

-Oh, look.

-Here.

-The Tiny Shop, no wonder you didn't see it.

-I did not, no.

-Look, a squeeze-box already!

-I can't believe it.

-See?

-Can you play a squeeze-box or a concertina?

Well, I'll give it a go,

-see what we've got here.

-It's Italian. It's Italian, maybe...

Naples...little, erm, squeeze-box?

That makes me think, here we go.

-Are you ready?

-I'm not sure this is going to work.

-Go on, I'll play you in.

-HE PLAYS

Two, three, four.

CHARLES CLICKS HIS FINGERS

-CHESNEY LAUGHS

-Keep going, keep going!

That sounds like When Mash Get Smashed, doesn't it?

-Can you do One And Only?

-I can't...

-Let's go in, shall we?

-After you, gents first!

-Thank you.

-It's a tiny shop.

Tiny it may be, but this shop sells collectables, curiosities,

and bric-a-brac.

Owner Rob is here, and happy to help.

-All right. Oh, hello there.

-Hello.

-I'm Chesney.

-Nice to meet you.

-Very nice to meet you.

And I'm Charles, good to see you.

-I see why it's called The Tiny Shop.

-Yes, yes.

-It's cosy.

We're looking for - dare I say it? - the one.

-Yeah... Oh, he's at it again!

-Sorry.

CHESNEY LAUGHS

So you should be, Charles.

I wonder what will catch their eye?

It's obviously Army, or some kind of military.

I think it's Brigadier, and it's got a nice weight, as well.

It feels it, yeah.

-Shall we...?

-You know, I always think, erm, wingman, it's your size.

-Do you want to try it on?

-Yes, of course it is.

I know you're an entertainer.

-Oh, look at that.

-Oh, yeah! It's almost an album cover.

There we go, this belonged to Colonel MH Collins,

and this was acquired from Conway Williams retailers

in Camberley, in London.

And what a lovely, lovely quality of flannel.

It's heavy, as you said, it's very...

Yeah, it is heavy. It's quality as well.

You could definitely see this as an album cover. Here, hold this.

There's a guitar down here as well.

See if it works well on... as an album cover.

Let's drape the flag as well behind you.

-A bit of patriotic...

-There we go, it's all going.

-There you go.

-CAMERA CLICKS

Lordy, who edits this stuff? Ha!

LAUGHTER

Yeah, it's priced there. £75.

Let's give Rob a quick call, shall we?

You only have £70 left.

Let's hope Rob is in the mood to deal.

Hello. Come in between us here, sir.

-Would you be able to tell us a little bit more about this?

-Er...

..no more really than what's in the label.

-I've been told it's Brigadier.

-Is there much discount in it, sir?

Erm, well, seeing as I've had it a long while,

I think I could probably let it go for 30.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-Less than half price.

-That's a good price. Yes.

I think, er, we have a deal with that.

And with that, Hanson-Hawkes are all bought up.

Just wear that over your shoulder.

Bye, Rob! Thank you! Are you ready? Left, right. We're off.

# Run, rabbit, run,

# Rabbit, run, run, run...

Hey!

-# Here comes the farmer with his gun, gun, gun...

-NARRATOR LAUGHS

I wouldn't want to live there with that lot going by.

Ooh!

That's all the shopping completed for this trip.

Time for the teams to meet up and examine one another's wares.

-Ladies first.

-Yeah?

-OK.

-Reveal all.

-OK.

One, two, three.

Oh!

-I like what you've bought.

-OK.

Debbie, I commend you. What worries me a lot is the amber beads.

-Oh, really?

-Yeah, that worries me a lot.

-We were amber gamblers with that one.

-Yeah.

-We don't know.

-Is it an amber gamble?

-It might be. It might not be.

-If it's amber, they could be worth £2,000.

-Yeah.

-Really?

-Yeah, easy.

-Oh, my goodness!

-Well, shall we just go home, then?

-Yeah. No, keep the faith.

-LAUGHTER

-What do you think about that table?

-I think it's quite shabby,

but, yeah, like the girls, it's quite chicy.

It's shabby chic.

-Shall we reveal?

-Come on, boys.

A-three, a-two, a-one.

-Ooh!

-Mm...

-Oh, I love your weather vane.

-Ta-da!

-Yeah.

-What did you pay for that, guys?

-It was 180.

-Oh, that's OK.

No, that's fine. Just imagine how much you'd have to pay for a new one.

-I'm sure you'd have to pay £150 for a new one.

-I think it might race away.

-This is intriguing.

-CHESNEY:

-Can I pick this up?

-So, here you go.

-WHISTLING

-Oh, yes.

-Loving that!

It's being modelled for you now as well.

It has the trousers with it.

I like that. How much did you pay for that?

-CHESNEY:

-It was up for 75 and he came down to £30.

-Oh, brilliant!

-Yeah.

Seems to be in very good condition.

I think it's all down to what happens with the vane.

-Yeah.

-I think if this points in our direction like that,

-we'll be quids in.

-Yeah.

But I think your amber beads might steal the show.

Are they really amber?

We'll see you at the auction, we'll find out then.

Oh. Well, that's that, then.

Let's head into the rain and see what they really think.

A potty chair?!

I mean, useful.

Somehow, somewhere.

And, erm, Chesney looked great in the military uniform.

Yeah, hot.

Well, I can tell you what I didn't like, the table.

-Amazing.

-I don't understand that at all.

That's almost like, you know, a nervous first buy.

-Yeah, perhaps.

-And to me, for £30, it's almost firewood.

The weather vane's lovely.

-Yeah.

-But it's a lot of money to get back, isn't it?

-Yeah, it's a big risk.

-Yeah.

-It's a big risk, but it could pay off.

-I mean, it's a nice thing. It is a nice thing.

-Yeah.

-CHARLES:

-It all hangs on one thing.

-The weather vane.

-You know, look at the weather outside now?

-Yeah.

-If it's a sunny day and it strikes in the right direction,

-we're flying high.

-What's he talking about?

Our celebrities and experts started out in Reigate.

After scouring Surrey

and East Hampshire for antiques,

they're now travelling

to auction in Ruislip.

-I don't really get the table, to be honest.

-Don't you?

No, in fact, Charles described it afterwards as "firewood".

Ha-ha! I must have a word with him.

If I win, or me and Charles win,

I'm going to have to make a record with him.

-I haven't even thought about that.

-Oh, yeah.

Does that mean if I win, I have to make a record with him?!

Today's sale is at Bainbridges Auction House.

I hear a car... Hello!

Wow! Good morning.

-CHRISTINA:

-Hello, hello, hello, hello.

-The car's in good shape.

Good morning, sir. You look very dapper.

Well, thank you very much.

-Are you all set?

-Yeah, we're all set.

For you, I seriously hope you lose today

cos otherwise he thinks he's going to be in the band.

-Are we ready?

-I think we're ready. On your marks, get set -

-let's go to the auction!

-CHESNEY:

-Ladies first, ladies first.

Chesney and Charles have spent £360 on five auction lots...

..whereas Debbie and Christina only spent £140 on their five lots.

Selling today is auctioneer Peter Bainbridge.

All furniture, of course, is a problem in this current market,

so a table with a missing top and a missing drawer

doesn't stand a lot of chance.

Weather vanes are always lovely things. They're bigger than you think they are.

This does have a bracket, so that saves some costs in erecting it.

I think we'll have a bit of fun getting rid of these lots,

but we're on the World Wide Web and that's always useful.

Yes, it is. And the room is packed with punters as well.

Time to take your seats.

First up, Debbie's bead necklace.

Will the amber gamble pay off?

Your starter for £10.

10 I'm bid, thank you. 15 anywhere? My bid is £10.

-15 I'm bid.

-£10.

-20 I'm bid.

25 now. 25 I'm bid and 30 now.

My bid is 25. Any further bidding on 25?

Do I hear 30? Selling today at £25.

-All done at 25, then...

-GAVEL FALLS

It's a good start for us. Oh, sorry, girls!

-It's a good start.

-Thanks, Charlie.

-We're in business.

That was terrible. It seems the buyers decided it wasn't amber.

Oh, well, worth a try, Christina.

-I never brought any tissues!

-It's OK.

Right, let's see if Chesney's Victorian potty chair

is a sinker or a floater.

£20. 10 to get in the bid. Anybody give me £10, please?

-Come on!

-Yeah, somebody's bidding.

Go on, go on!

Any further bids, then? For the last time at £20, selling today...

GAVEL FALLS

-Aw! No!

-You were so close, guys. So close.

-Yeah.

I get that sinking feeling.

It just went plop, didn't it?

-It did...

-It just plopped on us.

-I expected you to say something like that, Charles.

-Sorry.

-Yeah...

Predictable as ever, Charles.

Now, time for Debbie's silver-mounted hunting flask.

£30. Give me a bid of £30, anybody. £20, if you like.

Thank you, sir. 20 I'm bid. 25 now, please.

Thank you. £30. 30 I'm bid. 35, thank you.

40, sir.

-It's really beautiful.

-Yeah.

So we've got a bid of £45,

any further bids on 45? Shall we go 50 now? My bid is 45.

-That's a great price!

-At 45, all done.

-Well within the estimate.

-GAVEL FALLS

First profit of the day, and a good one at that.

-Congratulations.

-45.

-Phew!

Now, can Chesney and Charles turn the tables

with their 1930s gramophone?

These are collectable, ladies and gentlemen. £20?

£10 to go. 10 I'm bid, thank you.

-15 anywhere now?

-CHARLES:

-A hand.

15 I'm bid. 20 I'm bid. 25, sir? 25, thank you.

£30. 30 bid. 35 now.

-We're selling today at £30.

-CHARLES:

-The rhythm is not with us.

-30, all done...

-GAVEL FALLS

£55 down.

Doesn't matter.

Disappointing result there.

Oh, you guys, I'm so sorry, I really thought that would make more.

Right, time to see if Debbie's table can make a profit.

What are you going to bid me on the piece now? Give me a bid of £10.

£10 to start the bidding, ladies and gentlemen, please.

Do I see a bid of £10? Anybody want to give me a £10 note?

Oh, no, come on! It's gorgeous.

We have an internet bid of £10...

-But it is very much a characterful item, may I say?

-There IS

-an internet bid.

-£10 I'm selling for. Any further bids today on £10?

-Table selling, £10...

-GAVEL FALLS

Ah. That's a loss.

Look on the bright side...

-You've sold it, it's gone.

-Sold it.

-It's gone.

-Ahead of our time, Debbie.

Next lot under the gavel

is Chesney's elm mallet. Looks great!

-Would you use it as your gavel?!

-Yeah.

Give me a bid of £10. 10 I'm bid, thank you.

-15 anywhere? My bid is £10, do I hear 15?

-Come on!

This must be rare. At £10,

15 anywhere now? I've never seen one like it.

At £10. Come on, you'd better give it to me

and I'd better hammer it down.

-Good man!

-CHARLES:

-We're not saying "going, going" yet...

-Ha-ha!

-I hope you're insured. £10, ladies and gentlemen.

Any further bids on 10, then? We're selling for ten...

-What an auctioneer.

-He's broken his laptop!

Careful! That thing could do some damage!

Our table was a lot, lot bigger,

so ours is much cheaper firewood than yours!

Next up, Debbie's damaged Wemyss-style jardiniere.

Ten to go then, £10. I'll throw in some glue.

Thank you, 10 I'm bid, thank you. 15 now.

Madam, 20. I thought it was you -

£20. 25, sir? No, £20, the lady in blue.

-Well done.

-20.

-All done at 20...

-GAVEL FALLS

Despite the damage, it doubled its money. Well done.

-Double your money.

-Yeah.

But still, you are edging further away.

Right, time for Chesney's pricey gamble - the Edwardian weather vane.

We can all do that, you know.

-THEY ALL LAUGH

-Oh, my God, he's another member of the boy band!

OK, we've got a weather vane, ladies and gentlemen, please, here...

Let's open the bidding, please, at £80. Come on, now. At £80.

£50, then, please. Where do you want to start? 50 bid.

60 bid. 70 anywhere now?

We've got a bid at £60, 70 anywhere now? 70 bid, thank you. 80. 90...

Come on, we're in business!

..120 I'm bid, 130...

- This is simply LA calling! - 140, 150...

-This is LA!

-It's happening.

150 bid, 160...? 160 bid.

170?

-You can stretch.

-170 bid.

-CHARLES:

-Yes!

180...? 180 bid. 190.

-CHARLES:

-He's got it!

- 190. - He's got it. We've got it!