Episode 5 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip

The nation's favourite celebrities...

-Oh!

-Just want to touch BASS.

..paired up with an expert...

-Boo!

-Oh!

..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.

-CAR RUMBLES

-Oh!

Who will find a hidden gem?

-HORN HONKS

-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!

Today we'll be crossing the Cotswolds, not the Andes,

with two friends who happen to be very fine actresses.

How are you feeling in the passenger seat with me?

-Hanging onto this seat belt, Sharon.

-I know!

Just acting, I think.

Yep, it's Sharon Maughan and Tina Hobley. How lovely.

We're in the country, antique shopping,

so you're going to be hanging out with antiques other than me today!

Oh, those two have been long-familiar faces

on our TV screens, with Tina pulling pints in the Rovers Return,

and Sharon appearing in commercial breaks.

I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm having a dinner party,

and I've run out of coffee.

I loved those adverts, they were fantastic.

I really do hope they bring them back one day.

Me too. They first met when they co-starred in top BBC medical drama

Holby City, Sharon playing a nurse,

and Tina as her ward-sister daughter.

-Mum?

-I really thought you two were finished.

I ended up having an affair with your husband, I think, didn't I?

You did. We had a big cat fight, do you remember?

I quite liked having a cat fight with you.

You told me that Robert Powell wasn't my father,

after all those years.

Yeah, but Robert Powell was never your real father, darling.

-I know!

-Not in real life!

TIM LAUGHS

Sure to be well acquainted with Holby goings-on will be our experts,

antiqueurs James Braxton and Raj Bisram.

Raj, you've never trained as a doctor, have you?

White coat and stethoscope - badge of office, aren't they?

Well, I think with my medical complaints, I should definitely...

I'm going to need a nurse with me!

All with plenty of cream, I hope. At least they know a bit

about vintage cars, like this 1965 Jag Mark 2.

When they finished the Mark 1, they said,

"We want to build another one, and we want to give it more space,

"more pace, and more grace."

Or even grace, pace and space.

It COULD have been that way around!

Mind you, that 1967 Volvo is pretty sprightly, too,

which should please car fan Tina.

I love speed. Speed, speed, speed.

-Second gear, bingo, I did it.

-This is a little, uh...

Don't be funny about it!

-I did it, I'm very happy.

-Well done, Sharon.

So, with £400 each plus a tiger in their tank,

let's get them teamed up and on the road.

-Hello.

-Hello, hello, hello, hello.

-How are you?

-James.

-Sharon. Lovely to meet you.

-Hello, Sharon.

-Tina, lovely to meet you.

-Hi, Tina, I'm Raj.

Meet your competition. Sharon.

-Hello, Sharon.

-How are you? Good to see you.

Hello, James. Nice to meet you.

Hi, James, you're looking at the winners.

-Oh, come on.

-No, no, no.

The winners are the first there.

-Yes, off we go!

-Bye-bye.

Let's get to the shops!

Those two don't hang about, do they?

Today's trip will end up beside the seaside at an auction in Brighton,

but there's an awful lot of shopping around Gloucestershire before then,

starting out in the county city.

What are you like at the haggle?

-The haggle?

-Is there a bit of Marrakech in you?

In Marrakech, there is,

but do you think the English are any good at it?

-I think we should be.

-I'll haggle today if you want me to haggle.

-Shall I haggle?

-Yeah, I want you to haggle.

Sounds like our experts are taking their job very seriously.

For a collector, or someone who's passionate about antiques,

buying something that they can live with - that's the beauty.

Do you think that's what we should do today, then?

No, no.

Our first celebrity to dip toe into water is Tina,

in the port city of Gloucester, down by the docks. Oh, yes.

-This is good.

-Upstairs, Downstairs.

-Yeah.

-You go one way, I'll go the other.

-OK.

-If you see anything you like, give me a shout.

-I will.

-OK, see you in a second.

I wonder if Tina's experience in medical drama might pay off.

I like that one.

Always tense affairs, aren't they?

You're the coin man, aren't you?

-Medals.

-Medals, medals, medals, not coins.

How's our unflappable consultant getting on?

I do like that.

The ticket price is £95.

I think I'm going to have to call Tina.

Tina? What poise, eh?

Oh, I like this. So, it's an antique desk stool.

Look at that, and it's all attached.

£40. If I could get it for 20,

-I'm sure we could sell it for more than that.

-It suits you,

but you mustn't be buying anything without checking on me price-wise.

There's a lot of them around,

and I don't think they're great, great sellers.

Oh, OK. Fine, well, that's why you're here. We'll leave that.

Very stern, Raj.

His lamp's one on the wish list, and now Tina's grabbed dealer Vic.

A leather jewellery box. That's quite nice.

-It's pretty.

-It's very pretty, isn't it?

-Mm-hm.

It's only got a key as well.

-It gets better - it's 95 quid.

-OK.

-You can have it for 60 quid.

Really? OK, good.

-That, I'm sure...

-..Is the right key?

Yep.

-I like that.

-You've got a very old London maker lock.

-And I can have it for 60?

-60 quid will do.

-I like that!

Thank you. Now, I have to consult my expert, though.

Yes.

I'm not sure she wants to.

What about our other lean antiquing machine?

Oh, my gosh, we've got a little Cotswold moment.

Breathe in!

-Lovely. He's done that before.

-He's obviously used to it, yeah.

Well, HE has. They seem to be navigating the hills rather nicely.

Motoring to their first shop in Winchcombe,

the Cotswold town on the River Isbourne.

Very nicely parked. Look at that. Aren't we lucky bunnies?

Yeah, it's a popular place all right.

First antique shop. Isn't this exciting?

Winchcombe Antiques. I am quite excited, actually.

-It's all about fate.

-Yes.

-Something will find us.

Well, let's first find the proprietor.

-Here's our man.

-Hello there.

-Hello.

-Richard.

-I'm Sharon, lovely to meet you, Richard.

-Hello. James.

-Hello, James.

-Good to meet you.

Oh, that's very nice, I like to be surrounded by rosewood.

Yes, I like to be surrounded by men!

And I am.

Yeah, that's true. Now, antiques.

There's definitely enough here, I'd say.

Oh, I love a box.

Look at this gorgeous oak stationery box.

Let's open it up and see what's inside.

Look how lovely that is!

All your filing, all your envelopes, all your letter-headed paper,

your ink, your inkwells, this is for your pens.

When I was at school, you had to write with pen and ink,

you couldn't write with biros, as they called it,

but I don't know if there is a market for it.

I have to keep reminding myself, not just what I like,

but how I can make money.

Ticket price, £78.

I absolutely love this.

It's described as a Victorian cylinder cupboard.

I don't know what the Victorians did with a cylinder cupboard,

-but what

-I

-would do with this, this is very Soho House.

That's a miniature drinks cupboard, isn't it?

It's so cool, and a beautiful decanter on top, perhaps.

But it's expensive, it's, er... £225!

Sharon's already up to speed. What's James got there?

Three early coloured engravings of Brighton scenes.

This first one here is known as Kings Road, Brighton,

but rather fun - on the beach, they've got the fish market,

and Brighton fish market used to be on the shingle,

and then we've got another one here. This is the Chain Pier.

This was built by a chap called Captain Samuel Brown, who built

early suspension bridges, and this predates Clifton Suspension Bridge.

And then this is the other one here, we've got here the

Victorian fountain, erected in 1846.

So it must be post-1846.

They're nice, they're rosewood. They have gilt slips, original frames.

What have we got? We've got £118.

Brighton scenes. We're selling in Brighton.

I think that has our name on them.

Could be a canny find.

Sewing machine.

I used to make all my own clothes when I was a young girl.

It was the only way I could get the clothes I wanted to buy

in the slums of Liverpool.

So I had a hand sewing machine, rather like that one.

Mine was a Singer. The thing is,

I don't know what is basically second-hand, and what is antique.

That is a very good question.

Over in Gloucester, things have taken a military turn.

This looks rather interesting.

It looks like an army kit, isn't it?

So, 1944, it says.

How wonderful. It's a grooming kit, isn't it?

And it's got the paperwork to go with it. Look!

Oh, I like this. And we're going to be selling in Brighton,

and I think this is quite trendy.

Ticket price, £55, though.

So, the whole kit is there, it's complete.

The brushes, the trimmers, the combs, and the scissors.

Well, let's see what Raj makes of it.

-If you could get him down to, say, 20...

-Yes?

..then I think that would be quite saleable.

-Do you?

-Yeah.

-Right, let's go and see if I can do a deal, then.

-Shall we leave it for the moment?

-All right.

Before we do a deal - and I know you want to do a deal -

-can I show you something?

-Yes, of course.

OK, I've got a couple of things. Come this way.

Raj's list includes a tunic, like the one Tina admired earlier,

and that lamp.

What do you think?

Well, I think I've thrown something away like that, maybe last week!

What a reaction!

The Anglepoise lamp was invented in the early 1930s, and this one is by

Terry & Sons, who soon began manufacturing it under licence.

This kind of stuff is really in vogue at the moment.

-Yeah, yeah, yeah.

-And this at auction could make £70 to £100,

no problem at all. Now, there's £95 on the ticket, but again,

if we could get this at £50, snap it off their hands.

-Absolutely, this would be a good deal.

-Would it?

-And the other thing I found...

-I love this.

-Do you?

-Yes!

-Well, I love it, too.

-Yes!

It's a tunic of the glorious Glosters Regiment.

Ticket price, £120.

I'm going to give you a challenge, OK?

I want you to go in there and get these three items, OK,

-for £100.

-Crikey, Raj!

-Let's see what we can do.

-Absolutely.

Now, is Vic there? Vic!

Oh, yes, and Rob.

Hi, guys. Rob.

-And Vic.

-And Vic.

OK. I'm very excited about the couple of items we've found.

So, the jacket, the beautiful Gloster...

Gloster Regiment bandsman's jacket.

Yes, we love it, but what's the best price you could do for me?

-We could probably come down to 60.

-£60, thank you.

Now, we love the lamp.

-Yes.

-It's an industrial lamp, it's very on trend at the moment.

-It is.

-We could do a lot with that, but what's the best price on that?

We'll take 50 quid for this.

Thank you very much. Now, just one little thing that caught my eye.

It's the army barber's kit.

I think 20 would be great for me on that.

OK, then, we'll call it 25.

25, so what are we up to, Raj?

60, 50, that's 110, and 25, so 135.

If you can get another fiver off that and a fiver off the jacket,

I think, for the sake of a tenner, we're at 125,

I think that's a fair deal, see what they can do.

What do you think, gentlemen?

You know you said I had a nice smile?

Say it again! How about giving me it for 20, the barber's kit?

-We can do that.

-I'll take it away.

-Really?

-We can do that.

-Thank you.

Can I make it 55 on the jacket?

And I'll tell you, we're going to win this.

I reckon you'll win anyway, because you got the best regiment

-in the British Army.

-Ah!

-You can even try the hat on, if you like.

Oh! Oh, I love it, I love it all.

-Does it suit me, Sir?

-It definitely suits you.

-Those eyes.

It definitely suits you! It definitely suits you.

Do you think you could come down another fiver for me?

-I could probably do that for you.

-Gentlemen, you are fantastic.

-Oh!

-Shake their hands.

-Delighted. Thank you.

Good doing business with you.

That was quite a big deal!

-And one Lady Godiva.

-Look at that, thank you.

Thank you very much.

Now, while those two stick the swag in the Jag...

So pleased with what we've got.

-Brilliant things.

-Yes!

-I mean, you did really well.

..where are we in Winchcombe?

Georgian, bird feeder.

Oh, it's for in a bird cage.

A little tiny bird feeder for in a bird cage,

when everyone had a little budgerigar.

I've never seen that before. Isn't that sweet?

Very cheap, it's £15, for anybody who has a budgie.

Cor, she's good. Time for a bit of show and tell, I reckon.

I spotted these pictures, and the dear old humble engraving,

and the first one is the Steine in Brighton.

-Oh, my goodness.

-I love this one - this is the front at Brighton,

and then you've got bathing machines. Rather fun.

Bathing machine?

-Yeah, to preserve your modesty.

-Oh, yes.

-So you undressed in there,

and then the machine was taken into the water, and then you jumped out.

-Oh, wow.

-So, you've got these three things here,

nicely framed in rosewood. They're a bit yesteryear.

So what do we think about them being a bit yesteryear?

Well, it's going to Brighton.

There will be some people harking back to the past, won't there?

You don't think it's a bit coal to Newcastle?

No, because actually I don't think they have much relevance up here,

I think they have more relevance in Brighton, don't they?

-Yeah, they do. Yeah, yeah.

-Have you found anything?

You bet she has.

Oh, isn't that lovely?

So, a stationery... All your envelopes.

All your envelopes, your letter-headed paper, your ink.

Look at this beautiful little inkwell, and your pens here.

And the lid - does it open?

-I didn't know it had the lid!

-And then THIS may open.

-Does that open?

-Oh, no, I didn't have the courage you had.

-Secret drawer. How much have they got on it?

-70 something.

That sounds a bit cheap. I think that's good value.

-You're very good, Sharon.

-This extraordinary little thing here.

-Cylindrical washstand.

-Cylinder cupboard.

-It was a cylinder washtub?

-A washstand, yeah.

-A washstand, that's what it was.

-Washstand. But that's why it was marble.

-Ah.

So you would have had your wash basin there,

and then you could have poured it on, and you would wash.

It's quite a plain one, because this is made of pine.

-Do you like that?

-I like cylindrical things, because it has novelty.

It's different.

Bend ze knees, and off to see Richard.

We need to get these things as cheaply as we can.

Is there a deal to be done?

What's the lowest you could do on that?

Yeah, well, that, I haven't got much room for manoeuvre.

-So it's 78 at present. And the best...

-55?

..literally just 70 I can do.

Now, the ticket price on this was £225, remember.

This very expensive, very expensive drinks cabinet.

What's your best price on this?

I'd probably have to give the chap a call.

-What's it got on it?

-A lot of money.

-It's got a lot of money. It's pine.

-The best I can do is 200

without speaking to him, so I would need to give him a shout.

-Could you give him a shout?

-Yeah, no worries.

No, but really, he'd need to literally know

-it would need to be half that.

-I'll try.

What about these mid-19th-century pictures?

Well, they are Brighton, aren't they?

So that's ideal for you, but the best I can do on that is 90.

-90?

-Yeah, £30 apiece.

Doesn't sound too bad, but while Richard gets on the phone,

Sharon has one more little suggestion.

-Do you know what that is?

-I don't know what that is.

This is a Georgian bird feeder.

-I love it.

-For a cage, for the bird cage,

for your little beloved budgie.

-Isn't that lovely?

-Isn't it lovely, and you know what?

It's Georgian. I've never seen anything like it before.

-Nor have I.

-Do you like it?

-I REALLY like it.

-Oh, I'm so excited.

-Really like it.

-I found it!

But with the other dealer out of reach, let's focus here.

-So, definitely having that.

-Good.

I think it's a choice between that or that.

Well, obviously, in Brighton...

I think we should take a punt.

We've got two proper antiques.

-You like that, don't you?

-I love it.

-So happy about that.

-Very clever.

I'm with an expert!

I learn fast.

Come on, you learn very fast.

-We're going to have those two, Richard.

-No problem at all.

Nicely done. One each. £105 to pay.

That's it, Sharon, milk it!

..80, 90, 100.

I believe you might owe me a £5 note.

Oh, she's such a performer, as is her friend and rival.

I have known Sharon for about 12 years.

She came on Holby to play my mother, and whenever I can get that in,

particularly on television...

Crikey, no wonder that fight was so convincing.

And then we became dearest, dearest friends.

If I took one thing away from Holby, it was meeting Sharon.

These days, Tina has yet another string to her bow - radio.

I don't know how I got into this world, but I do a weekday show,

drive-time show, so it's Monday to Friday, and then I do a Sunday show,

which I've been doing for the last three years.

And I absolutely love it.

What do you think would be the ideal music for us to be playing?

Oh, now, what would I play to go with this beauty?

I think she deserves a bit of Nina Simone.

-Would you like to hear that?

-Yeah.

-She's very smooth.

-You're very smooth!

-Oh!

There's another reason Tina is a hit on drive-time -

she's also a keen motor-racing fan, with a licence,

which explains why they're currently heading deep into the Cotswolds

towards Prescott Hill, to learn about one of the very oldest forms

of motorsport - speed hill climbing.

This course, a throwback to the more rudimentary early days,

is basically the drive to an old manor house,

as well as being the home of the Bugatti Owners Club. Lovely!

Oh, Stuart, look at that!

Yeah, we're very lucky to have this car.

Stuart Webster is the general manager.

So, are Bugattis from the '20s and '30s,

are they actually raced here still today?

Yes, we're the Bugatti Owners Club, and we like to show very much

the history of the car, so, yes, we still have cars which were born

90 years ago which are still raced here today.

Do you have the own a Bugatti to be a member of the club?

Absolutely not. We have 2,200 members today, and of our members,

there's about 200 of them that own a Bugatti, but then we have the person

who likes to come to Prescott to watch the motor racing as well.

Racing at Prescott Hill goes back almost 80 years,

although the sport itself is even older, dating from time around

the turn-of-the-century, when racers were first encouraged

to keep off public roads. It's a short and very fast time trial.

Circuit racing, the start point and finish point are exactly the

same place. On a hill climb, you go from one point, and you finish

at a completely different point, and that was part of the challenge,

I guess - taking something which looked like an easy thing to do,

but turns into something which is really quite technical,

-and quite difficult to do.

-How long is the actual course itself?

It's 1,127 yards, and of course as we're old, we don't work in metres,

we work in yards, so 1,127 yards.

All right, easy on the "old"!

I think he was referring to me, not you!

Without doubt!

So, the course record is 35.51 seconds. 1,127 yards, two hairpins,

and a near hairpin at the finish line as well,

which I think will catch your breath when you go round it,

because it looks like you're going off the end of the world.

I can't wait! When can we get going?

How about right now?

With youthful Bugatti driver Piers at the wheel.

So, what do you want me to do?

If you pump that lever,

it will pump air into the fuel tank which will force fuel through to the

carburettor, so you want to pump away as hard as you possibly can.

-That'll be absolutely fine.

-Yeah.

We'll switch the Magneto on, and press the starter.

Right, let's go for it.

Stirling Moss competed in his very first trial here in 1948.

He came fourth.

It's quite a tricky car to drive, because it's a clutch gearbox,

which means you have to match your revs to your road speed,

so if I change gear, and you get a slight crunch,

it means you haven't quite got it absolutely right.

That was a good one.

You can see how some of the greats honed their skills up here. CRUNCH

-I think it's the best noise in the world.

-It is.

Every time it starts, it really does get the blood flowing.

This 37A Bugatti is one of only three left in the world.

82 years old, and it's still as good as the day it ever left the factory,

so they certainly made them to last.

Right. Now, what does Murray Walker say whenever they cross the line?

Woo!

But while Tina has being chasing that course record,

our other pair have been urging the Volvo to new heights.

-Birdlip Hill is one of the steepest hills.

-You're joking?

Relax! You're heading the other way, taking our route down to the

valleys of Stroud, and another chance to strike a shopping blow.

Is Tina very competitive, Sharon?

Oh, she's so competitive!

She will want to win.

-Do you think we'll win?

-Of course we'll win!

Is the right answer.

Malt House! Yay!

There used to be a brewery here.

Now an antiques centre with over 100 dealers, but it's getting late.

There's a lovely guitar here, rock star-owned electric guitar.

I have been expecting you, Mr Bond.

Sharon seems the more urgent, I think.

I think they're the coolest, beautiful Art Deco shape,

and if they can work, what cool soap dispensers they would be,

-and body cream in the bathroom.

-But on the other hand,

I think barber shops are having a real renaissance, aren't they?

But that would mean a barber would have to buy them.

-I don't see why not.

-And it's still in there.

Look at that. This is completely what you would call authentic.

It looks too good to be true, doesn't it?

What is on the price tag?

The price tag says £145, which is a lot of money from a barber's shop,

circa 1940.

Great item, aren't they? And the fact that it works.

Look at that, look at the resistance.

-Very nice action!

-Oh, let's have a word, then.

-Hello, James.

-Mark.

-Mark, hello.

-Hello, Mark, Sharon.

-Pleased to meet you.

-Nice to meet you, too.

Very good. We like these.

They're a lovely, unique pair.

The only thing we hate about them is the price.

Well, there's a little movement within there.

-How little is a little?

-I can give you 10% off the price.

14 quid.

That's not immediately attractive, Mark.

Would it be worth ringing the trader?

Do you think he might do 100? I would peel off 100 if you...

Do you want to see if he would allow us to peel off 100?

Yeah, I can try. You'll have to give me a few moments.

They do seem rather set on those, whatever the outcome of the call.

I've spoken with the dealer, and the best price is 120.

Do you think he might go nearer the 100?

-I don't think he will, no.

-You don't?

I also know they were in one barber shop,

-and that's in the Forest of Dean, all their life.

-Really?

Yeah, they obviously had clientele that still use Brylcreem.

-Yes.

-You don't, do you?

I haven't got any hair!

-Fair enough.

-What's the word for when you get the whole history

-of a piece of art?

-The provenance.

-The provenance.

Maybe that would enrich the sale.

It would. And I think Brighton is a good place for it.

-Shall we do it?

-I would shake the man's hand.

That's a knuckle duster. I don't know...

Blimey O'Reilly, watch out!

So, what are you going to do with these?

-Is this a hand to shake, or...?

-It IS a hand to shake!

So, with £120 dispensed,

it's time for our couples to head for the hills.

Chug-a-chug-a-chug. We're getting there. Push, push!

Nighty night, then.

Next day, the local former's looking a lot more familiar.

-Pigs!

-Pigs!

-Look at them.

It's a Gloucester old spot!

And a donkey. It's the biggest Gloucester old spot I've ever seen.

Yesterday, Tina managed to bag a military barber's kit,

a balanced arm lamp, and a Gloucestershire Regiment tunic.

-You got the best regiment in the British Army.

-Ah!

So, she still has £275 for today's buys,

whilst Sharon picked up two hair cream dispensers,

three Brighton engravings, and a Georgian bird feeder.

-I really like that.

-Oh, I'm so excited!

-Really like that.

I found it!

I should tweet it(!)

Leaving 175 for whatever she might wish yet to acquire.

How was your bargaining skills?

Terrible. Terrible.

Mine were fabulous.

So you've got loads and loads and loads of money left.

Not telling you.

What's the expert opinion, then?

Lovely Sharon's got a good eye for design.

She found two fabulous things yesterday.

-Tina, too.

-Really?

-And as far as the haggling goes,

-boy, oh, boy.

-Mustard, is she?

Which begs the question - do we need these two?

With your good eye and my amazing bargaining skills,

we've got a whole new career ahead of us.

Whole new career! You and me on the road, Thelma and Louise.

I'd be Susan Sarandon. You'd be Geena Davis.

Whichever was the one that had sex with Brad Pitt.

I say!

Well, that's all sorted, then. First...

-Here we go.

-Here they are. They're very race-y, aren't they?

Look at these ladies!

Race you, quick! It's all about speed.

-Is it?

-Stay in the car!

-Morning. Stay in the car? OK.

-It's all about speed.

-I'm staying!

-Thank you.

-Good morning to you.

-Good morning.

-While they're chatting, let's go.

-Let's get on the road.

-Let's go, let's go.

-Quick, quick, first to the shop.

-Indeed!

Later, they'll be haring off to an auction in Brighton, but today's

first whistle-stop is in the Gloucestershire town of Cirencester.

Bit of a shared shop. Sounds friendly enough, doesn't it?

I'm over the moon, I'm very confident,

-I love the things we bought.

-You know what I need, don't you?

-I need to win.

-I know you need to win!

Oh, yeah. There's no second-place here, Raj.

Crikey. What about the others?

-Let's do haggling today.

-Haggling.

The whole of North Africa will be weeping at our lack of haggling.

The whole of Liverpool will be weeping at mine, because I'm

from the mentality of everything comes off the back of a lorry.

Well, they've been buying and selling in this market town

since Roman times, so I'm sure our lot can be accommodated.

-Look at...

-Is this it?

-Yes.

-Good.

But who got there first?

-It's just through here...

-Oh, I recognise those voices.

-Don't tell them, quick!

-Oh, dear!

-Avoiding you.

-Have you found something?

-Have you found anything yet?

-Of course we have.

-OK.

-On the way now.

-Many choices.

-We're off.

-Bye, then.

Was there enough bluster on show there, do you think?

West German vases.

They're very good, aren't they? Nice colours.

Very unusual, a vase with a handle.

-It is.

-Have you seen that before?

Vase with a handle might also be known

-as a jug.

-A jug!

Ha! Brackers knows his stuff.

Quality wooden box with silver cartouche.

-1937.

-That's actually a really lovely present,

-because if you want it engraved...

-It is, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

Cigarette box. But it's just all ready to go, isn't it?

-Ready to go, yeah.

-That could be bought for 15 quid.

That might be a fellow, mightn't it?

That smells like a gentleman from Piccadilly, doesn't it?

How do YOU know?

How is our other couple?

-Aha, Tina.

-Have you found something?

-I know you like glass...

-Yes.

..so I've got a little question for you. Here's a little tester, OK?

-Right.

-What does it remind you of?

A scarf.

Very good. It's actually a handkerchief vase.

-Handkerchief.

-And in the 1920s, 1930s,

these were made, and they're called...

-Oh, there we go.

-Large...

-Handkerchief vase.

-..handkerchief vase.

-It's a handkerchief vase, yeah.

-Oh, wow.

And they did them in all different colours.

-It's not the value of it...

-No?

-..it's just the unusual shape.

I mean, that at £28? Nothing, is it?

Not to be sniffed at, but Tina's thinking big.

I've got £275 in my back pocket.

I'm desperate to spend it.

I've just got to make sure it's the right object.

Quite. Meanwhile...

That is an Ashanti stool.

So the Ashanti tribe used to carve these stools.

It's a very... That sort of shape.

The Ashanti come from central Ghana.

-Oh, yes. It's lovely, isn't it?

-It is sweet, isn't it?

Quite stylised. It's quite an elegant elephant.

It's very good, you've got extended legs...

-Very lean and long, yeah.

-Sort of model-y legs.

-Yeah, yeah.

-That, at £50, would be good.

We can make a profit on that.

Currently almost twice that, however.

Ooh!

Steady!

Nothing to see here.

I think the price of that might be going up!

Now, what's in here?

Ah. That's quite nice.

Yeah, that's not bad, not bad.

That frame is Art Nouveau. Art Nouveau is really in at the moment.

Yes, yeah.

Ticket price is £78.

-I think that's lovely.

-So do I.

Maybe we should hide it and we'll come back to it later,

-what do you think?

-Oh, OK.

I don't want them to see it, so I really want to hide it.

-I like it. That lovely mirror.

-Let's put that up there, on top.

I wonder if they've got a blanket we could throw over it as well.

No. I think that's enough.

Sneaky tactics, I like it.

-James?

-Yep?

-What do you think of this bowl?

You're drawn to these deco shapes, aren't you?

-Well, it's chic, isn't it?

-It's very chic.

-It's very chic, very clean.

Ah, Orrefors. Sweden.

Orrefors Sweden? Is that...?

Yeah, they're a big sort of very smart design house, of glass.

-But is it modern, then?

-I think it's quite modern.

Still got quite a modern label.

But it's a luxury good.

To make glass, you have to melt sand to 1,600 degrees centigrade.

Through my hand there, I can see where it's signed.

-Look.

-Yep, it's signed.

It's got a nice label, it's got everything going for it.

The price is...

-£65.

-Ow. Ow, ow, ow.

-Hurts.

-It does, doesn't it? But also, I want the elephant.

Well, let's see what Will can do.

-Hi, hello, young man. How are you?

-Lovely to meet you.

-We like the bowl.

-Mm-hm.

-But we don't like the price tag.

Do you know what that could be done for?

How does £50 sound to you guys?

-Too much.

-Too much.

-Too much still?

-35?

-35.

-Oh, I'd go lower.

-Absolute best, 35.

35.

I'd shake the man's hand.

-Would you?

-Maybe 30.

-You told me to go for 30.

-Sorry.

My friend, my rival, is a really good haggler,

and I have failed miserably. You can save my life.

-Your inner haggle.

-Yeah, go on, then. Do it for 30.

I l...

-You've made my day!

-Where there's a Will, eh?

Am I allowed to buy the elephant stool?

Well, depending on how well you negotiate.

-Under 50. It's got to be... 40, I would have thought.

-Right.

Remember the ticket price?

99. Do it at 45, that's the best I can do.

45. Go on, Will. Put it there, chief. Well done.

Do you want me to hug him for you?

Yeah, kiss him. Kiss the young man.

Oh, haggling and hugging.

-A little plastic fiver.

-Oh, that's perfect.

Now, any danger of Tina splashing out?

This is a lovely cabinet, I like this.

Isn't it? You've got some vesta cases, haven't you?

-From your dad.

-Yes, I have.

-I mean, look at that lovely cigarette...

-Cigar box.

-That's a cigar one.

And that one of there is a little cheroot case.

-Cheroot, what would they...?

-Little cigars.

Oh, look down here, Tina.

There's a lovely set of Art Nouveau silver buttons.

-Oh, yes.

-They are lovely.

-And you know when you were talking about the frame earlier?

-Yes?

-Could go together?

-Yeah, the frame and those could go together.

-95.

-95. Shall we have a look at them?

-Yes, yes.

-OK.

I think those are gorgeous.

These look like they're in their original box.

-Mm.

-They're dated 1903. I think that these are a classic piece.

So do I. Let's go and negotiate.

Definitely.

OK. First, we need to retrieve that frame.

Still there. Next, manager Brian.

We really need your help here, because...

I'm sure we can do something.

-We love this.

-We could do those for 80 for you.

Right, and what about my lovely frame?

And your frame is 78. Erm...

Could do that for 65 for you.

-Brian, ideally...

-Yeah?

-We're looking around £100.

Oh, gosh. How about 120?

-Why don't we split the difference?

-That's a good idea.

-Yes?

-Yeah.

-Are you happy with 110?

-Yeah.

-Thank you, Brian.

-It's a pleasure.

-Thank you very much.

Well, that was fruitful.

-Money?

-Money!

-We've got to pay him, we've got to pay the man!

Thought I could get away with a smile.

Nice try, Tina.

But what about Sharon and James?

What's the pathway to acting?

Well, the only way through for me was to apply for drama schools.

So I applied for the Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art, Rada.

30 shillings, you paid, for an audition.

Two speeches, one Shakespeare, one modern.

But I'm crying down the side of the chair, going

"Nothing, nothing, nothing. Not even my own soul."

Two weeks later got a letter saying, "You've been accepted at Rada,"

and poverty was a massive advantage, because I got a full grant.

Currently resting from their shopping duties, those two

are crossing into Oxfordshire, and the village of Kelmscott.

Have you ever worked with your husband, Trevor Eve?

Only once, recently, we were asked to appear in

a version of Pygmalion at Buckingham Palace in front of the Queen.

I did not play Eliza, I played the housekeeper,

and he played Professor Higgins.

It was in the Investiture Room, and it was like doing it in somebody's

-front parlour.

-Fabulous.

-It was very funny, and a real privilege.

It was very exciting.

This is Kelmscott Manor, where they're about to learn the story

of the fair lady who some believe was the inspiration

for Pygmalion's Eliza Doolittle...

Quiet little nook.

..in the company of Victorian art expert, Jan Marsh.

-Hello. I'm Jan.

-I'm Sharon.

-Nice to meet you.

-James.

-James, nice to meet you.

-And welcome to Kelmscott Manor.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

This Elizabethan home was leased as a country retreat by the

great artist and designer William Morris, and his friend,

the painter and poet Dante Gabriele Rossetti.

So, is this all original...?

Yes, this house has hardly changed since the Morrises were here.

But the other person closely associated with Kelmscott

is the Pre-Raphaelite model Jane Burden.

She grew up in Oxford.

She came from a very impoverished and ill-educated family,

so when she met Pre-Raphaelite artists at the age of 17,

she fell absolutely head over heels, not just with them,

but with the whole atmosphere of art and culture.

In the little room by the side,

there is the first drawing that Rossetti ever did of Jane, aged 17.

And you can see how he has made probably a very plain lass

into an absolutely beautiful young woman.

It was Rossetti who first discovered Jane, but Morris who married her,

in 1859.

She was obviously one of those very bright working-class lasses,

who, when she sees an opportunity, she absolutely seized it.

Grab it. They don't come twice.

Yes. It was like a Cinderella, it was like Pygmalion...

Pygmalion!

Absolutely. It totally changed her life.

Is there a truth in the fact that Eliza Doolittle might loosely

have been based on Jane, do you think?

Well, it's quite possible, because Bernard Shaw, who wrote Pygmalion...

-Yes. He came here, did he?

-He knew the Morrises, came here,

and so he knew the story about how Janey had been

plucked from obscurity, and she was reinvented as a lady,

as Mrs William Morris.

Where real-life differs, however, is in the complicated relationship

between husband, wife and their friend, Rossetti.

On the wall here is his first oil portrait of Jane,

and it says along the top, "Famed for her poet husband,

"famed for her beauty, and now let her be famed for my painting."

He was never very modest, Rossetti.

And he painted and drew that face over and over again

in different guises. It was his ideal.

It's a bit wistful, isn't it?

Rossetti's painting the wife of his friend and making her look

rather melancholy, and then within a few months,

you're declaring your love for her? Don't you think he's made her

look sad because their affections can never blossom?

When the attachment between the two became obvious,

Morris and Rossetti acquired Kelmscott in 1871.

Up this wonderful Jacobean staircase...

But while William took himself to Iceland for the summer,

Jane and Gabriele furnished the house together.

So this is the room that Rossetti took for his painting studio,

and Morris's bedroom is next door,

and Jane's bedroom is just beyond that.

It was an arrangement for propriety's sake.

What an understanding husband.

Yes. He loved the house. It was also a perfect house

for a hideaway for Jane and Gabriel to be together.

-It's got a walled garden.

-No prying eyes.

Very sophisticated crowd.

Was this a lifelong relationship?

Not really. Didn't last all that long. Two or three years,

and then Rossetti had a breakdown, and he eventually went

back to London, and then the Morrises took on the house.

Was Jane involved in Morris and Co, in the business?

Oh, very actively, from the very beginning.

She actually ran and organised the embroidery side of the business

and she became an absolutely renowned embroiderer,

and there are quite a lot of examples of her work still here,

so she really had quite an active career.

Rossetti died in 1882, and Morris himself 14 years later,

but Jane and her daughters kept Kelmscott.

This iconic house, which features on the cover

of Morris' News From Nowhere, and is glimpsed in Rossetti's

1871 painting of Jane, remains a finely preserved memorial.

Meanwhile, back in Gloucestershire,

Tina and Raj are on their way to their final shop.

And of course, we do have a slight advantage,

because this is your home patch.

That's right, yes. We're off to Tetbury,

and I actually got married in Tetbury ten years ago.

-Oh, really?

-There was one shop where I have bought a lot of antiques

in the past, so I'm hoping he might be there today,

and I might be able to use some sort of charm.

Works both ways, mind you.

A bit like the road to Tetbury.

That's the church where Tina was wed all right.

-Because you know this place.

-I do, that's George's shop.

Definitely not your usual antique shop.

Hello, George. Nice to see you again.

-Nice to see you. How are you?

-Great, thank you.

-Hello, George. Raj.

-Nice to meet you.

What a lovely shop you have here.

He does. And Tina has £165 left, remember.

Very interior design-y pieces, aren't they?

I mean, George has obviously got a connection with India.

And these are quite nice, aren't they?

Yeah, yeah. These are nice, old, painted brackets.

-Very nice. Oh! And heavy.

-Heavy.

-Super heavy.

-Go on.

-Pertique brackets.

-Anglo Indian.

-£600 for the set.

They're nice, but you'd want the set, wouldn't you?

-And 600 is a bit steep.

-Yeah. Yeah, yeah.

Well, there's plenty more.

These are lovely old patterns.

-Yeah.

-Do you know what these are for?

-They were for paint, printing?

Absolutely. You would have a sari, for example,

they would take that piece, put it into the paint...

-Yeah.

-..and then decorate the bottom of the sari.

But that's an interesting one. That's an old roti stone.

That would've been heated, and you'd make the chapatti,

slap it on the stone, cook it on the stone, and then ready to go.

Yummy.

Now, HE looks tasty.

-Oh, Tina, look at this.

-Yeah, look at him!

Isn't that a nice lump?

It's so heavy!

Is it? It looks to me like... I think it's pronounced Surya.

-Is it?

-That's the sun god.

-The sun god!

-The sun god.

-I like that.

-So do I.

-That is so different.

I wonder what price is on it.

-400?

-Do you know? It could be. It could be 250, 200.

But we've got £165 left.

-Yeah.

-I mean, I'd pay...

..150?

-Would you?

-I mean, how old it is, I wouldn't like to bet on it,

-but it does look old to me.

-Does it?

-Let's ask him. George?

-Hi, George.

-Hi, Tina.

-We love the look of that.

Well, it's a big, brass, bronze Surya, and it's a sun god,

an interpretation of a sun god.

-Mm.

-Obviously they're the creator of the universe.

19th-20th century.

Not ancient, but a nice old piece.

But it's very decorative, it's a nice big lump, as they say.

-Solid. Yeah.

-Now the million-dollar question - how much is it?

220, I've got on it.

Ah. 220.

It's a little bit more than we were hoping to pay.

Cut to the chase, what's available?

Our offer, we've discussed it - would you take £150?

-Cash.

-We have a deal.

-Thank you very much indeed.

By George, they've got it!

-So, here we go.

-Thank you very much indeed.

Great. I hope you do well with it.

I second that.

-Come on.

-I'm coming. This is heavy!

-Come on! Where did you park the car?

-Oh, it's down there. Blimey!

So, with shopping done,

let's make an appointment for a full and frank disclosure.

Ooh, I love this bit!

On the count of one, two, three.

One, two, three.

-Ah.

-Aha!

Glass is well represented.

They're very cool, I like that.

-They are cool, aren't they?

-Very cool.

-They completely took my eye.

Tell me about the glass bowl. Is that...?

-That looks rather modern.

-New.

It's quite new. Orrefors, Swedish.

-Signed.

-Signed. That's why we've bought it.

Bit Brighton, we thought.

Yeah, it's close to Stockholm, yeah.

Cheeky Raj!

You'll never guess what that is.

What is it? It's for vinegar?

-Oil.

-Oil? Oil or vinegar?

-No.

-He's never seen one before.

-And obviously neither have you.

-Go on. Take them out of...

It's Georgian. It's a bird feeder for a bird cage.

A little lady with a little budgerigar...

You're right, I have never seen one before.

-Do you like it, though, Raj?

-It's a good story.

What have you got here? What are these?

-These prints? Three prints of Brighton.

-They're Brighton? Ah!

-So we've got...

-Has anyone told you? The auction's been changed!

-No, has it?

-Norwich.

-Glasgow.

You are in trouble!

-That's very good.

-That is very, very good.

Why's no-one talking about HIM, then?

-Elephant seat.

-That's Ashanti tribe, I think.

It's a refined elephant, with very long, lean...

It's got beautiful legs. Back legs. I like an elephant with long legs.

-Right. Is it our turn?

-Here we go, hang on a second.

-Go on.

Look at that. There's some stuff going on there!

-Here we go.

-Who is that rather strange fellow in the middle?

This is the Indian Sun God, Surya.

-OK.

-Yes. Nice.

It's got some age to it.

-Yeah.

-It's very, very decorative and unusual.

-Is it heavy?

-Very.

-It's very heavy.

Well, it's very lovely, and in the right situation,

if somebody can carry it out, if somebody is strong enough

to carry it out, I think it'll do fine!

And you've got a barbershop quartet...

We could open a barbershop here, couldn't we?!

That's what we said, it would go very well!

That's an Army... 1944... It's all engraved.

-That's lovely.

-A World War II one.

It's really nice, and I love the lamp.

-They're very, very trendy at the moment.

-Yeah.

-And it's original.

-Look at this.

-That's lovely.

-I know, they're lovely. Now, what are these?

-Art Nouveau buttons.

-Silver buttons.

-Lovely.

-Really, really nice.

-Very pretty, aren't they?

-Very pretty.

-And that comes with a copper frame.

-That's going to go as one lot.

Oh, it's one lot?

And more militaria.

-Very special.

-This is our very special...

You went for a piece of clothing.

-Yes.

-It's actually the Royal Glosters.

-Oh, Gloucester.

-Nice jacket. Tunic.

-They are very trendy, especially in Brighton,

the youngsters like wearing them when they go out.

Who told you that?

She's got a point!

I feel rally happy having seen yours now.

What does that mean?!

No, no, I mean it is now going to be a pleasure.

It'll be lovely.

The hard work's done. Come on, we'll see you at the auction.

We will see you at the auction.

See you there.

As they were revealed, I was very impressed, were you?

-Yeah.

-It looked like a great collection.

I think you've surprise them with your fabulous little bird feeder.

Their dud buy might be the elephant seat.

-Any swaps?

-I can't say I would, actually.

-Right answer.

-Would you?

If I could keep any of our objects that would be most useful

in my house, they would definitely be the barber's kit.

After getting started in Gloucester, and thoroughly exploring the county,

our celebrities and experts are now in Brighton.

Let's just hope it lives up to expectations.

Love being by the sea.

-You can smell it, can't you?

-You can.

Unfortunately, the Volvo wasn't at all well this morning,

so with a sherbet dab taking the strain,

these two can concentrate on more important matters.

So who would you say is the most competitive, Sharon?

Fancy you asking me that question!

The thing about you, Tina, is you say you're really competitive,

but what don't know about me is that I am quietly very competitive.

Actually I think I'm going to win. I really do, because let's face it,

mine is much more tasteful than yours, let's be honest.

I'm blaming Raj for that!

Welcome to Brighton General.

Sounds a bit like a hospital, so they may well feel at home.

-How are you? Nice to see you.

-Lovely to see you, too.

There's internet bidding here, too.

Come on. Let's go and see what's going to happen, then.

James and Sharon picked up five auction lots,

and Tina and Raj did exactly the same.

Now, I wonder what our auctioneer, Andrew Potter, makes of them.

Is he completely potty about them or not?

The 1940s hair cream dispenser, that should be the star item today.

There's lots of barber's shops opening up around the place,

a lot of interest on the internet on that so I am expecting that to sell

very well today. The Gloucestershire Regiment jacket, it's a bit

steam punk-ish, so you can see people around Brighton

walking around the streets wearing that sort of thing.

Yeah, I see what you mean. Raj did have a point.

Very good. Very excited.

First on parade is Tina and Raj's military barber's kit.

-Here we go!

-This is the one we want to do well.

I've got interest on this. I can start this at 26, 28.

£30 now. Looking for 32. I've got £30 with me.

Is there 32 anywhere?

All done at £30.

Started with a profit! Congratulations!

Good start there, and a tidy reward.

-Tenner.

-Tenner's a tenner.

That's 50% of what we paid for it, that's not bad.

No, it's very good.

-We'll be all right, James.

-Yeah.

Pachyderm profit or trunk junk? It's James's favourite.

And what did you pay for it, James?

-£45.

-£45, cheap at the price, darling. Cheap at the price.

I can start on the net at £44.

Looking for 46 now.

Oh! Sorry!

Got 48, got 50.

-Got 55.

-THEY CRY OUT

Is it going mad in here or what?

I've got 55 on the net, looking for 60 now.

I've got 55 on the net. Is there 60 anywhere?

-Come on!

-You can't bid yourself, or you will get into trouble.

So illegal. Did it!

-Maughan, you have been warned.

-He'll hit me on the head!

All done at 55...

-Got 60, 65. I've got 65 on the net.

-Oh!

Oh, dear! Got 65 on the net, looking for 70 now.

I've got 65. Is there 70 anywhere?

70 on the net.

We're going to have a riot in here! I've got 70 on the net.

Is there a 75? All done at £70....

Well done.

Well done, James!

Yeah, nicely spotted.

What a good start!

For us.

It's all right for you.

We start off slower, and build up.

Well, let's see if their buttons and frame can do the same.

You've spent a lot of money on these.

We did, we spent a lot of money.

£110. That's good.

I can start the book at £40.

-I've got 42 on the net.

-It is gorgeous.

44. 46. 46. 48.

I've got 48. I'll come to the room shortly.

-Keep going. It's all right.

-I've got 55 on the net.

-Keep going.

-You be quiet, James!

£70 in the room, looking for 75 anywhere.

-Oh, yes, yes!

-75. Got £80.

85. 90. 95.

OK, stop joking now.

Back of the room.

Is that a 95 anywhere?

Would you like 100? 100 in the room. Looking for 110 now.

-All done at £100.

-Aw! That's not bad, though.

That's very good. I thought it was going to sell for 50.

Cheeky. This is shaping up to be quite a contest.

Not bad for a load of rubbish.

It's not!

As a team, we do not like making losses.

Next we have Sharon's Swedish bowl.

It's not terribly old.

But very beautiful.

Very Art Deco.

Nice, heavy crystal piece here.

I can start on the book, I've got 26, 28.

I've got 30 now.

-OK.

-Looking for 32 now.

I've got £30. Is there a 32 anywhere?

I've got 32 now on the net.

Internet bid.

I've got 32 on the net, is there 34 anywhere?

I will sell it at £32.

Sold to the net for £32.

A profit. Two quid.

Every little bit helps.

Quite. Nothing to be ashamed of.

I'm proud. We haven't lost yet.

No crying in the audience, please.

Can the Glorious Glosters come to Tina and Raj's assistance?

I really like this and I think this is where

-we're going to come marching back.

-Do you want to buy it?

Yes!

I've got 26, 28 on the net.

Looking for 30. I've got 28 on the net.

Is there a 30 anywhere?

-Yes.

-We've got 30 now on the net.

Is there 32 anywhere?

I've got 30 on the net.

I think he's struggling.

I've got 34 now.

34. 36 anywhere? I've got 34 now.

Looking for 36. 36 on the net.

38. 38.

Come on, come on.

It's gorgeous.

Looking for 40 now. I will sell it.

-No!

-I will sell it at £38.

It's sold to the net.

It's all right, Raj. Your reputation won't die on this.

Yes, come on, Raj, chin up.

She's going to go around saying, "I got an idiot!"

"That idiot Raj Bisram doesn't know anything!"

A big test for James next - his Brighton engravings.

If they don't do well here, they won't do well anywhere.

I know. To be honest.

-They have got to do well.

-Let's hope you just make a small loss.

Very nice pieces there, we've got 22, 24 on the net.

26, looking for 28.

Keep going, keep going.

I've got 28, I've

got 30, 32. 34. 36, 38, 40. I've got £40 at the front,

-looking for 42. 42, 44, 46.

-This is live, it's happening here.

-55, 60. 65, now got £60.

-Nice.

£60 to my left, is there 65 anywhere?

I will sell them at £60.

-No.

-Oh!

-Oh!

-Did you gloat?

-Sorry.

-No, no.

I think they definitely did, Sharon.

Yes, right, the gloves are off.

If you gloated, the gloves are off.

Were you gloating? I don't think you were gloating.

I couldn't hold my excitement.

Well, it's your sun god next, Tina.

Are those two related, by the way?

Fingers crossed. The sun is shining.

Actually, it's not, it's cloudy.

The lady behind me fancies it for her garden.

How much?

I've got bids up to 85, 90. 95 with me.

Looking for 100.

I've got 95 with me.

-Gorgeous.

-Rather heavy and large plaque.

I've got 95 with me.

I can see the internet hovering.

I've got 100 at the back of the room.

I've got 110 with me.

Looking for 120.

110. Is there 120 anywhere?

-I will sell it at £110.

-Sell it.

-No, don't sell it!

-Sorry to gloat!

It's like Holby City all over again.

That lamp better come through.

That dodgy lamp.

You're in trouble.

You don't know this woman's wrath.

Before that we have Sharon's big buy,

the hair cream dispensers with provenance.

It's my pride and joy.

I'm very proud of my dispensers.

Would you like me to get some tissues?

No, you cannot touch me.

I have the faith.

Keep them, because you will be weeping.