John Cameron v Philip Serrell - Showdown Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

This is Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

The show that takes the titans of the antiques trade,

-and pitches them against each other...

-Mwuh!

to see who can make the most money from buying and selling.

That's amazing. Truly amazing.

Buckle up, and get ready for the ride of your life.

It's the Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is showdown,

the greatest challenge our experts have faced yet.

Two heavyweights of the antiques world,

will be tested to their limit as they're challenged to dig deep

at four different events to find antiques and collectibles they can

sell on for maximum profit.

Coming up, our experts reveal

why you should always try before you buy...

Just watch this. Are you ready?

Nice feature, isn't it?

Why you should always ensure

you look for items in the right places...

-Ah, good, you speak English.

-Yes.

-Thank you, I'm saved.

And, how an auction can bring together the fiercest of foes.

That's really good, John. Well done.

-Thanks, Phil.

-Rat. Absolute rat.

It promises to be a right royal rumble, as our antiques experts

go head-to-head for the title every dealer craves,

the Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is Champion.

This is the Showdown, where our two finely-honed antiques gladiators

compete for the ultimate prize.

Today's show isn't just about packing powerful profits,

it's their one chance for supreme victory over their opponent.

Our duelling duo are two of Britain's most renowned auctioneers.

The highly-revered gavel master from Worcester,

Phil "The Fox" Serrell,

versus Portsmouth's auction hawk,

John "The Hammer" Cameron.

This is a challenge like no other.

It will test their knowledge, stamina, and contacts books

to the absolute limit.

Let's find out what's in store.

-Young Philip...

-I'm liking it.

Let's see what we've got. Our final challenge.

"Welcome to your final and biggest challenge yet, the showdown.

"You must each buy eight items, during your regular challenges.

"You can spend up to £1,000 of your own spondoolies."

"You can each sell up to four items, wherever you want.

"The remaining items will go to auction." That's our territory.

Well, you would think(!)

"Your auction will be in Dorset,

"in direct competition with your opponent.

"Choose your items wisely.

"The winner will be the one who makes the most profit."

OK, got that bit straight.

Come what may, Dorset's a very nice part of the world, isn't it?

-We'll have some fun. Good luck, mate.

-Good luck.

The game is on.

Both our antiques giants have £1,000 of their own money to spend.

That must include any restoration repairs, and buying fees.

It's a cut-throat competition. There's only one winner.

The man who makes the most profit.

Our fierce fighters must make their purchases

in the usual hunting grounds.

An auction, a car boot sale, and at two antiques markets.

One in Britain, and one abroad.

Each location has challenges of its own.

But the overall aim remains to choose pieces with profit potential

they know they can sell on.

But, with the added twist of the showdown auction

It's strategy every step of the way.

Our warriors are raring to go,

as they step onto their first battleground.

Round one is the auction at the Norcote Salerooms in Cirencester.

They must each find two items here.

So, with thousands of gems hidden away, our confident contenders

better get cracking.

The clock is ticking, because the auction starts soon,

and the place is packed with prospective bidders.

Our eagle-eyed experts waste no time, plunge right in,

sifting and scouring for the best profit-busters.

Canny Cameron's on the hunt, and thinks he has an advantage

over Phil the Fox.

The nice thing is, when we sell them at the auction,

I'll be closer to home, down in Dorset.

I'm only in the next county, in Hampshire.

Nevertheless, I need to find something.

Going to auction, you're in the hands of the gods.

There may be some luck involved,

but shrewd Cyril's convinced the key to winning is all about location.

What I have to try and do is think what might sell well down there.

If I could find a map of Dorset in Gloucestershire,

it's logical to think it'll make more in Dorset

than it will in Gloucestershire.

That's the kind of edge you're looking for.

While the Fox's clever strategy

will work for the auction sales in Dorset,

he must remember up to half his items will be sold privately,

using nothing more than his brains, and contacts book.

And, he better look sharp, because the Hammer's wasted no time,

and his first potential purchase has got him all starry-eyed.

It's a framed set of Wedgwood Jasperware dishes.

Very unpopular these days, and very important

in British ceramic history.

The only ceramic body Wedgwood invented.

He fiercely guarded the secrets.

What I like about these is the fact it features the 12 zodiac signs.

I have a specific person in mind for that.

The problem with buying something so specific is if they don't want it,

you get lumbered.

Sounds like Mr C has a plan.

The auction's a tough gig, and our experts are under pressure

to wheedle the winners out of the woodwork.

The Fox soon abandons his plan of buying for the Dorset market,

and pounces on a glazed cabinet.

This here, in my view, is off another piece of furniture.

If you can look at the bottom, just below the door,

it actually wants a little plinth put on there,

that comes out like a moulding edge, all the way round.

That way, you'll lose the fact that it is just the top off something,

and it might just look a bit better.

Viewing time is soon over, and the auction under way.

Bidding starts on the Wedgwood zodiac plates.

Will John be the first to bag a showdown item?

£45, £75.

£80.

£85, £90. Any advance, now?

Last chance at £90, we're selling at £90.

That's cost me a lot more than I wanted to pay,

but the more I saw it, the more I liked it.

It's purely the subject matter I'm interested in.

The signs of the zodiac.

Yes, the Hammer delivers the first blow in this epic battle.

Including auction costs, he pays just over £106 for the Wedgwood set.

But, is a profit written in the stars?

The cabinet Foxy spotted earlier is next in the ring.

But, it's been combined with a bookcase to make one lot.

So, if Phil's the highest bidder, he'll score them both.

£75, £80.

£85, £90.

£95, £100.

£110.

£120, £130.

But Phil suddenly has no competition from the lady beside him.

No.

At £160, here £170, now.

That is double that I'd marked it for.

£160, all done.

The man from Malvern has been scuppered, but he won't give up

without a fight.

He's straight over to his rival bidder to see if she'll do a deal

on the cabinet.

-I only came for that one.

-I'll give you a tenner for it.

-Give me a tenner, then.

-I'll give you a tenner. Done.

I have been.

The Fox gets what he wants. The cabinet's his for just £10.

Of course, in this case, no fees apply.

Nifty.

But, the Hammer is ready to strike back.

He's spotted a Victorian chair.

At £30. £30, I'm bid.

£35. £40.

£45. £50. £55. £60.

£65. £70.

At £70, sitting on my left.

At £70.

After auction fees, the Hammer picks up the chair for just under £83,

and he couldn't be happier.

It's actually upholstered in green suede.

I think this is a great thing.

Really do think I can get a profit out of this.

The frame's good, colour not the best. But structure's sound.

Foxy now needs to find HIS second purchase.

And, he's having a stab at more furniture. This time,

a revolving mahogany bookcase.

£120, £130, now.

£120, £130, £140.

£150.

£150, on my right.

At £150.

Fees take the price up to £177,

but is the bookcase all it's cracked up to be?

There's good revolving bookcases,

and there's not-so-good revolving bookcases.

Let me just give you a bit of a clue.

Just watch this. Are you ready?

Nice feature, isn't it?

It's an Edwardian piece of furniture.

If you come and look closely here,

this nice, thick, shellacy, horrible varnish

is coming off under my fingernails.

Another particularly fine selling feature(!)

So, what I have to do, when I get this home,

somebody has to tighten the column up for me,

somebody has to sort this top for me,

and I think, potentially, that's a £200 to £400 thing.

Well, I hope so. Otherwise, I'm in trouble, aren't I?

You might be. That concludes round one.

Time to find out how the piggy bank is looking.

Their total showdown budget is £1,000.

So far, Phil the Fox has spent just £187,

leaving him £813 for the rest of the showdown battle.

John "The Hammer" Cameron has spent almost exactly the same,

nearly £189, meaning he has just over £811 still to spend.

It's now round two of our epic challenge,

the antiques fair.

They're at the Lincolnshire Antiques and Home Show,

looking for two more items each.

And, there's 2,500 stalls to trawl.

The Fox is keen to strike early, and straightaway sniffs out an item

he hopes will steer him in the right direction.

It's a mahogany ship's rudder.

I think that's a really cool thing.

If you find a pub called The Ship, or The Anchor,

with a nautical theme, they can decorate these.

It's a daft thing to buy, and I do like daft things.

Come and stand here, you.

-How much?

-£45.

-Get out of here.

What would it date from? 1910?

I think it's 25 quid's worth.

I think it's 35 quid's worth.

There's a compromise coming, isn't there?

-There is.

-£28.

-All right, then.

-Go on, you're a gentleman.

Great start for the Fox,

but the Hammer has unearthed an item with Middle Eastern charm.

I'm really unsure about it, I'm unsure about it.

It's quite interesting. It certainly looks Islamic to me.

And this could be early, or it could be much later.

It's hard to tell with these things when traditions are passed down,

and pots and techniques don't change too much in the area.

It's not hard to do really good copies.

I think it may have had some restoration, possibly,

around the base, but there's something very intriguing about it.

I really, really don't know with that piece, and I'll be taking a complete chance.

So, our bold bruiser forks out a massive £150.

But, will the risk pay off?

John and Philip each need another item

and it's the Fox who has a glint in his eye.

He's found a rather nice piece of treen.

This is, for want of a better word,

a 19th-century boxwood cartridge filler.

And the 16 there refers to the bore of the cartridge.

That comes apart.

You just fit your cartridge in there like that,

then you put your powder in, and then you put some wadding in,

and then you put the little steel balls in,

and this just fits on there and crimps the top down.

I think that's a really beautiful thing. This was priced at £45.

And I've just bought it for £35. That could do really, really well.

The wily one makes a confident finish to the round

while the Hammer closes things up with a final purchase for £35.

It's a little, well,

white metal is all we can call it at the moment, wine taster.

It does have the engraving on the front say 1857,

and it would literally be for tasting wine.

There are some marks on the back, slightly rubbed.

I can't say that's an English hallmark, certainly not.

It's possibly continental.

And that wraps up round two. Let's take a look at the bank balances.

Both our boys started out with a £1,000 budget.

Phil spent £252, leaving him with a very comfortable £748 to spare.

But, John has been more lavish with his cash.

He's spent nearly £374, leaving him with more than £626.

This epic encounter continues.

For round three, our warriors find themselves

at the Denham giant car boot sale in Buckinghamshire.

They circle the stalls like wary prizefighters, but John's the first to close a deal.

£2 for a porcelain whisky bottle.

I think it's nice, and I like the colours to that.

You could actually turn that into a lamp.

Drill a little hole in the bottom. Bargain!

The Prince of Portsmouth is always looking to maximise his profit.

Meanwhile, the Man from Malvern is on a mission

and he's found a wooden chest that holds his attention.

-I'll give you 30 quid for it.

-35.

Can I toss you for 30 or 35?

Yeah.

-All right? So, you can call, ready?

-Ready. Tails.

so, you're calling tails.

I'm calling tails.

Tails it's 35 quid, heads, it's 30 quid.

Get in there!

FANFARE

Lady Luck smiles on the Fox, and the chest is his for just £30.

in the 19th century, your young Army officer, in this case,

second lieutenant A de B Adam.

So, if I can find out who he is, and perhaps locate his family,

that might be really, really interesting.

But it's a really good quality trunk.

It's out of mahogany, I think, but you can get that polished up

and I think it's going to look a million dollars.

But will it make a million dollars? That's the question, Foxy!

In no time at all, Phil is straight on to purchase number two

at the car boot - a modern Chinese bronze censor.

I think it's a really decorative thing.

For £15, you can't go wrong, can you?

We'll see, Phil, we'll see.

The Fox is first over the car-boot finishing line, but the Hammer is hot on his heels.

£100 buys him a silver watch.

Got ourselves a 19th-century, silver, open-faced pocket watch.

Nice enamelled dial with Roman numerals,

and a little, subsidiary seconds dial.

It's working, we've tried it.

There's a good heartbeat there, and the chap even threw in the key.

And what's better,

I've got the original Victorian silver Albert chain on there.

That's John bought up, as well.

Both our bargain-busters have come through unscathed,

so, with just one round left, how much have they got to spend?

Our boys both started this mighty challenge with a budget of £1,000.

Philip's been careful, parting with just £297 so far,

meaning he's got £703 left to enjoy.

John, meanwhile, has spent just under £476,

leaving him with more than £524.

And here we go with the final round of our epic battle,

the foreign antiques market.

Our sparring Spartans have crossed the Channel to enjoy

the delights of the Saint Ouen market in Paris.

They need to overcome language barriers,

because this place is crucial.

It's their last chance to home in on a hidden gem and swing the game.

But, there's plenty to choose from.

This place is a labyrinth of collectables, with thousands of shops and stalls.

I've got a couple of things I think I can get a profit on,

something perhaps decorative that will appeal in the auction house.

But what I'm going to try and remember is that I would rather make a small profit than a big loss.

But, as he has more money left to spend, Phil can afford

to take some risks, and he's quick to home in on a shabby chic chair.

it's actually leather cloth, isn't it?

But I think that's a really cool chair. How old?

Um, 1940, I would say.

So, it's pre-1950. Because in England, we're not allowed

to sell things made after 1950 that are upholstered, unless they have a fire label.

-Can I make you an offer?

-250 is the best price.

-Can you do 200 euros?

200 euros? No.

Hmmm. Since the French dealer won't budge on price, the Fox walks away.

But, while Phil seeks something to spend his money on,

Canny Cameron has hunted down his first potential purchase.

-Hello. How are you?

-Fine, and you?

-I'm good. You speak English?

-Yes.

Thank you, I'm saved!

Your screen here, how much is the screen?

This one is for 150.

But, for you, I can do you 130.

If I get out £120 now, can I buy it?

120? That's OK. No problem.

Somebody up there loves me!

In his excitement, Mr C got confused with his pounds and his euros.

He pays the equivalent of just over £109 for the fire screen.

When I saw this, I thought, straight away, of a certain period,

about 1870.

The actual framework is simulated bamboo, and it's been gilded,

and that crane against that black background, that black satin background.

It is a bit shabby. Structurally, though, it's sound.

I may need to glue one of those joints.

This satin has perished, but it's in original condition. I like that.

So, the Hammer hopes he's got a money-maker.

Now, our Fox can't resist that leather chair,

and he's back to make one last punt on the price.

-We went down to 240 before, didn't we? You said 240?

-240, yes.

-Right.

-Can I do it for 220?

-No, no.

-I'll pay you now.

-No, no.

Let me see what else you've got, see if I can buy something off you.

Phil tries another strategy, a job lot to push the dealer into a deal.

-What is the best you can do for that, please?

-50.

-So, if I bought the two, what would the best be for the two?

-280.

280 for the two, I'll take them. Good man. Thank you very much.

And he pulls it off.

The Fox gets the armchair for little more than £218,

and a rugby ball butter dish for just over £36.

Phil's showdown stash is complete. He's all bought up.

But, it's getting late, and the Hammer still needs one more purchase.

He spots an iconic German chair that needs restoring,

but the dealer's another tough cookie.

One more, one euro more. It's a nice price.

It's a nice chair, it's a good chair,

but it does require some work.

I've got 150 if you'll take it, 150 euros.

150, OK, because I close my shop.

And the Hammer gets his chair for just over £136.

So, we now know what's in both our boys' epic arsenals.

Who has shown some winning tactics? Only time will tell.

Let's tot up the totals and see who's spent what.

Our duelling duo both started with £1,000 of their own cash.

Phil the Fox has spent a little more than half his money nearly £552.

But, John the Hammer has been boldly splashing his cash,

spending just over £721.

So, before they turn their attention to selling,

there's one last chance to size up each other's wares.

-So you spent 120 euros on that, and 150 on the chair?

-270.

I spent 280.

Ah, you've done me again!

I mean, this was 240 euros.

And it's OK,

but I have just discovered there was one spring that just...

Just catches you nicely!

And my little rugby ball, I love that.

My favourite thing of the whole lot is, you know that cartridge filler?

-Yes.

-I love that. That's my favourite item.

-And what's your favourite bit?

-Mine? I love that bowl I bought.

-Yeah.

That Persian bowl. 10th century, a lot of history. I love ceramics.

Still not huge profits in that. I might make £100-£200 on it. I do like it, though.

Our wheeler-dealer warriors head home to perfect their plans,

because, now, it's time to show what they're really made of,

by triumphing in the art of selling.

They've emerged from four gruelling battlegrounds

slightly bruised, but who will be beaten in the profit war?

The winner will reign victorious. The loser will see their reputation ripped to shreds.

Because this is no ordinary contest.

It's the mighty Showdown,

which means that at least half the items must be sold at auction.

Both our bargain brutes are auctioneers by trade,

so you'd think they would feel right at home.

But, that couldn't be further from the truth.

They're used to being on the other side of the gavel.

Here, they could lose absolutely everything,

so which items have they chosen to sell privately

and which have they bravely sent into auction?

This fire screen here that I bought in Paris, I think, commercially, that's great.

There's an aesthetic movement, great demand for decorative art in that particular style.

It's original condition, it's shabby but it's chic,

and that should do well at auction.

On the other hand, I've got my silver pocket watch here,

which I paid £100 for. I think that's on the money.

I've got my whisky bottle I bought at the car boot for £2.

Commercially, that's desirable.

It's a whisky collectable, it's drinking-related,

I think I should make a profit on that at auction.

My pottery bowl here, I paid £150 for that,

but I still need to do more research,

so, I'm not going to take a chance, selling that into auction, just yet.

My astrological plates, I bought with a specific person in mind,

who I've now found out is going away on holiday.

So, no time to set up a deal.

All I can do is let him know when the auction is,

and hope he wants them enough to leave a bid.

And so, that just leaves my little wine-taster, which, I think,

I'm going to send that to auction, as well.

And the Hammer's still sitting very comfortably on his two chairs.

The one with the mahogany frame, and the rocking chair.

He's decided to sell both of those privately.

Our Fox is fast off the mark.

He's already had some work done to spruce up his cabinet and bookcase.

He's gone one better than John Cameron by getting advice from the auctioneer

who will actually be selling their lots.

I've got to make a decision, haven't I?

-So, that, you think, might make £100, plus?

-Yes.

Right, you've got that to sell.

-That, you think might make, I don't know, £50-£80?

-There or thereabouts.

Right, you've got that to sell.

That's a daft bit of fun,

and it will be interesting for all of us to see what that goes for.

My rudder, you don't have too much hope for it,

but having said that do you get a lot of retired sea people down here?

You know, within half an hour, we're right down on the coast, so, yeah.

So, that's that. And that, what did you think that might make?

Between £60-£100.

Right. Well, I think you've got all that lot,

and I think I shall take my rugby ball home, don't you?

I think that would be a good deal.

Richard, you're a star.

Phil goes off to plan a private sale for that rugby ball butter dish,

as well as his leather armchair and the revolving bookcase.

So, who will overcome the awesome auction?

We'll find out later in the show.

First, our gargantuan gladiators have to put in some early legwork,

and find homes for the other items.

But, remember, until they've shaken on it,

and the money has changed hands, no deal is truly sealed.

Phil the Fox keeps up his early pace

and lines up the first potential sale.

He spins over to Upton-upon-Severn with his revolving bookcase

to see Lee, who's an old client.

Phil spent £10 having the top polished,

taking his total spent to £187.

When I bought this at auction, I thought it was 1900-1905.

And it isn't, it's later.

-Yes.

-It's later.

-But it's a good-looking thing.

-yes, I like it, I like the inlay.

This sort of satinwood.

I tell you what I'd take for it, I'd take 240 quid.

£230.

And you've got a deal.

Go on, take it. Thank you.

So, that's one item down. The book-case does the business,

making a good starting profit of £43.

Now, Mr C is champing at the bit to get going.

He paid £83 for the mahogany chair.

He's called in our favour from a mate with a glue gun,

but, will doing that helped sell it to Ross, who runs a pub in Southsea?

I'm good, I'm good, what do you think?

Oh!

It is very comfy, actually, because it's got a deep seat, hasn't it?

It's lovely. It's part of a Victorian suite.

Would've been part of a parlour suite,

you'd have had a chaise longue with it, or perhaps a sofa,

or a lady's open chair, like a spoon-back chair,

so, you wouldn't have had this on the lady's chair,

because of the big bustly dresses they used to wear.

Probably 1860s, 1870s.

If you bought that in an antique shop, you wouldn't get change out of 500 quid.

I'm looking for something more like 250, something like that.

If we could get down to below the 200 mark, we probably would have a deal.

What's the best price you can do? Seriously, the best price?

I wouldn't have any hesitation at offering you 180 for it.

-200, can we round it off?

-Go on, then, yeah.

Good, good man.

The Hammer falls and John storms ahead.

He is sitting pretty with a profit of more than £117.

But, Phil is determined to get back out in front

and take the chequered flag.

He's got his own armchair to ship, the leather one

that cost him just over £218 in the Parisian market.

The Fox has already lined up a potential sale,

but he almost ruins it before it even starts.

Those of you who know me, this will not come as a great surprise, but I'm late.

The worst thing you can do when trying to have a deal with someone is be late.

I'm meeting Simon in there, who I've known for a long time.

He buys retro and vintage furniture off me,

and he's going to be so fed up that I'm late. Ugh!

Hello, how are you?

Not very professional, kid, but never mind.

I know, I know, it's just time, time, time, isn't it?

But you've been taking a relaxing sort of...

Yes, it's comfortable enough.

And I think it's quite a trendy chair, isn't it?

I suppose a priced one if the condition had been a bit better.

The base is a bit knackered, isn't it?

It looks like it's been dog-loved.

And the arms are a bit cracked as well, aren't they?

A bit more polishing. And a little bit of sewing around that rim there,

you could have a really cool chair that you could sell to someone.

Yeah, time's money, isn't it, Phil? How much is it going to be?

I was hoping I would get 275 for it.

Condition is everything, usually.

195, really.

Get out of here! I can't lose money on it.

No, that ain't going to work. 265.

240.

I tell you what I'll, I'll have a deal with you at £250.

-All right.

-You're a gentleman. Thank you.

Yes, Serrell strikes again.

The leather chair brings him a comfortable profit of nearly £32.

And, as if they haven't sold enough chairs for one day,

Big C comes back with his very own rocker that cost him just over £136.

He stays in Southsea

and takes it to see Ian, an antiques and collectables dealer.

Here we are, you know what it is.

-Yes.

-Thonet Brothers.

Came out around 1880. The patent was from about 1860.

More popular in America than they proved to be in Europe.

I quite like the style.

It works well, and it'll work well in a modern house.

How do you see it?

Really, John, I've got to reupholster it, I think.

150 quid, I'm looking at.

I was hoping for something more like two and a half?

No, I don't think so, John. It's nice, but it's not that nice.

-170, there you go.

-170.

Can we do, right...

John, that smile. OK.

A simple sale, and John rocks off almost £44 in profit.

Our Fox has got big ideas for his rugby ball-shaped butter dish.

He's brought it to the home of his local rugby team,

Worcester Warriors.

But, can our prize-fighter convert a profit

out of the club's commercial director, Cathy?

I bought this in France and I thought it was really wicked cos it looks

-like a 1920s rugby ball.

-It does.

But you open it up and it's just...

the leather has been bound on this China, sort of, base.

-So, it's not big enough for butter, is it?

-No, is it leather, then?

Yeah, it is.

But it's got a little stamp on here which says Longchamps, France.

I think it's a really fun thing and it's got to go to a rugby fan, hasn't it?

-Don't you think so? I was hoping to get 80 quid for it?

-£80!

£80! A real rugby ball would only cost me £18.

Actually isn't quite the reaction I was looking for.

-It was about £36 or something like that.

-OK, then, 40.

-You get the profit! 40!

-No. More. Try again.

I'll give you one last best shot and I'm going to give you a clue.

(50 quid and it's yours!)

OK?

-50 quid.

-Done deal.

The Fox's wily whispering scores the try!

The ball kicks home a profit of almost £14.

John the Hammer's a straightforward sort of guy.

You always know where you are with this man-of-the-people, but for some reason,

he's decided to sell his pocket watch in a motor bike shop. Why, John, why?

I've sold to Trevor the owner on a number of occasions.

Basically, he loves clocks, watches, and anything mechanical.

Let's just hope we're both synced on hammer time.

The watch cost John £100 so will he wind up with a profit?

The nice thing about it, the case is good, the movement is good,

the dial's good, even this glass is original. No chips or anything.

A tiny little dent in one side of the case, other than that,

it's pretty good. And for an open-face pocket watch, that's pretty good.

-Hairline crack on the dial?

-Tiny one in the face.

-Your eyes are good, Trevor, aren't they?

-Very good. The price?

-I am looking 180 for it.

-No way.

-We're miles away.

-Where do you see it?

-120.

-170?

-No.

-155.

-No. Too much.

Come on, you can do a better price than that.

140, that is my final offer.

-145.

-No, 140, that's it.

-140. That is your final offer?

-It is.

I know you, Trevor, so I'd better take your offer.

Trevor drives a hard deal

but John still scoots off with a decent profit of £40.

That brings us to the halfway point in this ferocious flexing of antiques muscle.

Let's find out how our champion wrestlers are getting on.

Phil the Fox was first onto the track.

He sold three items for a profit of just over £88.

But he is being lapped by John the Hammer, who's also sold

three items but is way out in front with more than £201 profit.

And that's where private enterprise must come to an end.

Our boys each have five items to put into their Showdown auction,

including that Persian bowl John couldn't make his mind up about earlier.

As we approach the climax of our epic challenge,

Phil and John eye up each other's purchases one last time.

You heard of shabby-chic.

Well, actually, I think this is quite a good thing.

It's aesthetic movement and if people pick up on that,

I think, sickeningly, it's going to do rather well.

I really, really like this. Great little piece with crossover appeal.

It is turned wood of some sort, known as treen,

a collecting field in its own right.

It's a useful thing too, a shotgun cartridge loader.

As a clay shooter myself, I think that's a wonderful little object. Really love it.

-What do you think?

-I don't understand this stuff at all.

I think that's a great decoration, isn't it, and you can see how

really early things influence everything we have today. That's either 50 quid

or 300, there's no middle ground with it.

Look how this has polished up.

Bought this for £30 at the car boot and I'll be disappointed

if this doesn't make me a three figure profit.

I bought this little whisky bottle for £2 at the car boot sale

and I think it's great. As a Scotsman's son, of course I was going to be drawn towards it.

It's whiskey and it's got a beautiful panoramic scene of stags in the great outdoors.

Everybody is allowed a blind spot

and I think this just might be Johns.

I' m trying to work out if he's Mystic Meg or Crafty Cameron.

We'll find out soon, Foxy, because the sale room is ready.

Our experts haven't been allowed to put reserve prices on their lots,

so their items must sell at this auction. There'll be no more chances.

The novelty whisky bottle John bought for £2 is their opening lot.

Straight in here at £15, I have. Thank you. 15, 20, 5,

30, 5, 40. At £40.

-Wow!

-That's a turn up, isn't it?

Seated bid at £40. Last chance going at 40... Bidder number two.

-I'd have bought five of them.

-I am a bit shocked. I liked it.

At 40 quid, I'm really pleased with that. £40, in the room as well.

John gets off to a flying start. After the auction costs,

the whisky bottle knocks back a profit of nearly £29,

nearly 15 times what he paid for it.

And the Hammer's got the next lot as well, the Zodiac dishes Phil can't stand.

They cost just over £106, so have John's powers of prediction

found him a profit maker?

Straight in here at £50. I have at 50, 60, 70,

80, 90, 100, 110...

-You're away!

-120, 130...

..130.. it's my bid... 140,

150, 150... it's my bid...

..160, ladies bid, now, seated, at £160 I have...

-Try not to smile, try hard not to smile.

-I'm nervous, Phil!

-£160.

-How did you sell those for £160?

The dishes leave both our bruisers slightly stunned.

After costs, John makes a small fortune of almost £21.

Next up, is the piece that's been worrying John, his Persian bowl.

I think this is make or break.

But I got a sneaking feeling you are going to come out of this, smelling of Persian roses.

I hope you're right, mate, I've got a lot riding on it.

I stand to make a considerable loss. I paid 150 for it.

I tell you what, though, I'm quite nervous.

The Persian bowl. Lot of interest in this.

Straight in here at £120.

-Still below my...

-130, 140,

150, 160, 170, 180, 190, at £190, now...

..200, 220, 240,

260, 280, 300, 320,

340,

360,

380,

400, 420, 450,

480, 500, and 20,

550, at £550, the bid is on my left at £550 now.

£550 selling at 550, bid is on my far left at £550...

-Tell you what, well done, you.

-I am so relieved.

Yes, that is what you call a result.

The Persian pottery pots an enormous profit, close to £290.

-I'm shocked.

-Pleased for you. Really good. That is good, John.

-Really good. Well done.

-Thanks, Phil.

-(Rat, absolute rat!)

But, Foxy shouldn't be fazed. He takes comfort from John's next lot,

the £35 silver wine-taster he bought at the antiques fair.

It only makes £40 and after costs, that notches

up our first loss of the day, more £4 down.

At last, Phil's first item comes up for sale.

It is the Chinese bronze censer he paid £15 for.

Straight in here at £15. I have 15. £15 I have now.

-15 quid?

-Yeah.

25, 30, 5, £35, commission bid, here with me...

..35. I have it away, now... 40, on the internet, internet bid at £40...

..on the internet, selling away...

Done, going away at 40, 40 and five, £45, last chance at 45,

fair warning, selling at 45...

-There you go.

-Quite pleased with that.

-£45, yeah?

And Mr Serrell's off the mark.

The censer makes a decent start, nearly £20 profit after costs.

-Could we get a smile?

-It is not quite the grimace that we had earlier.

-I'm getting over it, now.

-Start of good things. You got some good lots coming up.

I wouldn't want to be a sore loser.

But then it all comes tumbling down

as Phil loses almost everything he's just made.

The rudder steers him in the wrong direction. He bought it for £30.

It sells for just 20.

With auction costs, that's a hefty loss of nearly £19.

But surely Phil's wooden cartridge filler will give him something to smile about?

Both our boys love it. It cost him £35.

Lovely bit of treen here. Straight in here at £10.

15, 20, 5,

30, 5, 40... at £40, I have it away now.

Against you, sir, at £40. Last chance going away at 40...

That's a loss, isn't it?

I'm sort of, disappointed.

Foxy! The cartridge filler fires off another loss

and leaves Phil more than £4 down.

But surely Phil can't go wrong with his next item, the glazed cabinet he paid just £10 for?

For an extra £30 he's had it restored,

but will the saleroom see its selling points?

£50, please, thank you, straight in at £50.

50, 60, 70, at £70 and away now...

Last chance, going away and selling at 70...

It's a profit. Not a big one, but a profit. Piling up the pressure on the last one, though, isn't it?

Every little helps. The cabinet closes a profit of very nearly £15.

So, we're down to the last two lots, John's fire screen and Phil's trunk.

Can Cameron consolidate his lead, or will Serrell spin it around to his advantage?

In the Put Your Money Showdown anything can happen.

First up, it's the Hammer's shabby-chic screen that cost him £109 in Paris.

Tell you, sort of day you're having, mate, you're going to make about 1,800 quid.

50, and away for it. I have 20 bid.

-JOHN MOUTHS

-Ouch!

20, 5, 30, 5, 35, 40, £40.

Your bid, sir, at 40, 5, 50, 60, 70...

Your bid, Sir, outside at 70...

Done, going away and selling at 70...

I think it was a nice thing.

-I think that should have made over £100.

-You're right.

The screen couldn't shield John from that clunking great loss.

Including fees, it leaves him more than £54 down.

So, it all rests with Phil's passenger chest. Can he carry off a whopping great profit?

Realistically, I needed to make 200-odd pounds, £250 plus.

Realistically, it's going to make 150?

Straight in here at £50. 50 bid, thank you.

50, I have, now, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90,

100, 110, 120,

130, 140, 150,

160, 170, 180, 190,

-200, and 20, 240... Your bid at £240, now.

-Close.

Done, going away at 240...

-That did brilliantly.

-You know what, I'm really pleased.

I was actually getting rinsed by you earlier.

It's nice to see you smile!

The chest provides a thrilling climax to our brutal contest.

After costs, it packs a massive profit more than £161.

So, is it enough to balance the bruising encounter in Phil's direction?

We'll find out in just a moment.

The Showdown is the toughest of challenges.

Both our experts started out with £1,000 of their own money to spend,

at four different antiques events.

After costs and currency conversions,

Phil the Fox spent nearly £592.

But, John "The Hammer" Cameron forked out much more, over £721.

All the money Phil and John made from today's challenge will be going to a charity of their choice.

So, without further ado, it's time to find out

who is today's Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is Champion!

-John, how are you?

-I am good, Philip, how are you?

Tell you what, you still flushed with success over that bowl?

I took a gamble and it paid off.

Nearly sold that privately, but last minute, it went in the auction and I got lucky.

What we need to do now is find out what our showdown total is,

which is the bits we sold at the auction and the bits we sold privately.

-I'll count us in.

-Ready.

-Three, two, one...

-Look at that!

-That's a real whippin' again!

It is not a whipping, I got lucky with the bowl!

So, a convincing win for Mr Cameron.

Over £220 more profit than Mr Serrell.

But our two titans have been building up their profit pots over a week of challenges

and it's now time to find out how much they've made in total.

I'll count is in. Three, two, one, go!

-Look at that!

-That is fantastic, isn't it?

-You haven't done badly yourself, Phil.

No, but that's really well done. More importantly, I've had a thoroughly enjoyable week with you

and two charities are better off to the tune of about £3,500.

-Spoken like a true gentleman.

-Bar?

-I think so! Good call!

Both our experts have made enormous profits and all that money now goes to their good causes.

My chosen charity is Naomi House Children's Hospice

which provides invaluable care to children with life-shortening illnesses,

not just in the last days, but through their lives.

My chosen charity is the Wooden Spoon Society,

and that's based all around Rugby.

I've been a mad keen rugby man all my life.

It's a charity that supports disadvantaged children.

It's been a week of no-holds-barred combat.

Phil and John have Put Their Money Where Their Mouths are,

proving they can make a convincing profit from antiques when their own money's on the line.

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