Antiques Roadshow UK

In this special edition, the Antiques Roadshow travels to Berlin and Bletchley Park to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, featuring interviews with veterans and the stories of those who helped to liberate Europe. These include RAF pilot Colin Bell, now 104 years old, who flew 50 missions over Germany, and 100-year-old Hazel Halter, who worked with the secret codebreakers at Bletchley Park.

The roadshow marks the 80th anniversary of VJ Day with a special episode filmed at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, featuring interviews with veterans and the families of those who took part in the victory over Japan. Members of the public share moving stories and cherished items that provide a personal insight into what is often referred to as the ‘Forgotten War’.

The Roadshow visits Shuttleworth House in Bedfordshire, where the antique treasures on offer include a stunning diamond necklace, props from the James Bond films and an umbrella stand made from a boat. Frances Christie is captivated by a vivid painting from renowned 20th-century Haitian artist Préfète Duffaut, while Yexue Li admires a Japanese woodblock print. But is it an original?

The Stephens House and Gardens in North London hosts this week’s Roadshow, which features an antique gold ring discovered in an orchard, a still life by Duncan Grant and an iconic image of David Bowie. Will Farmer finds a jug designed by none other than Pablo Picasso, while a medal awarded to a World War II bomb disposal expert who saved St Paul's Cathedral, reveals an extraordinary story.

The Roadshow heads to Lister Park and Cartwright Hall in Bradford, where the surprising items include a sketch by Beatle John Lennon and a miniature cavalry sword gifted by Queen Victoria. Steven Moore discovers an antique vase that has been languishing under the owner’s kitchen sink for years, which could be worth a small fortune at auction, while Joanna Hardy is delighted to see a unique brooch.

The Roadshow returns to Shuttleworth House, where antique highlights include gorgeous diamond earrings, a lunar souvenir and an umbrella stand in the shape of a bear. Frances Christie finds work by 20th-century Northern Irish artist Gladys Maccabe, while a ceramic fish is just Serhat Ahmet’s cup of tea. But what’s the story behind a silver cup which was once a gift from Sir Winston Churchill?

The Roadshow returns to Stephens House and Gardens, where there are curiosities aplenty. Claire Tole-Moir gets to leaf through a signed guest book from the Live Aid afterparty, Fuchsia Voremberg examines an exquisitely illustrated ship’s log, Frances Christie sees a ceramic artwork destined for the dumpster, and Geoffrey Munn spots 18th-century gold bracelet clasps containing a loved-one's hair.

Bradford’s Lister Park hosts this week’s Roadshow, where the antique treasures include a jewel-encrusted gold bunny brooch, a portrait of a dog and an ancient stone head. Mark Smith views an autograph book bearing the signature of American Civil War general, and later president, Ulysses S Grant, bought for $1 in a shopping mall, while Fiona Bruce visits some David Hockney masterpieces.

The Roadshow visits Shuttleworth House in Bedfordshire, where highlights include Little Nellie, the ultimate James Bond gadget from the film You Only Live Twice. Mark Smith marvels at World War II medals that could be worth a fortune at auction, Chris Yeo lights up when he sees a collection of valuable mid-century lamps, while antique silverware items include a quirky pocket nutmeg grater.

The roadshow travels to Hill of Tarvit Mansion and Garden in Fife, where presenter Fiona Bruce learns about the history of the house and the people who created it. Treasures discovered by the experts include a painting by Scottish artist Jack Vettriano, a silver statue of Prince Albert and a haul of solid gold coins. Elsewhere, Gordon Foster is thrilled to find rare Ryder Cup golf memorabilia.

The roadshow visits the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea, where highlights include a rare 19th-century photograph album capturing landmarks of ancient Egypt. Chris Yeo appraises an Elton John signature brought along by one of Elton’s proteges. Raj Bisram is thrilled to see a valuable collection of diving memorabilia with a poignant story, while a ventriloquist's doll entertains the crowd.

At the Stephens House and Gardens in Finchley in London, Joanna Hardy finds two precious rings hidden amongst some costume jewelry. Ben Wright weighs up the merits of two very different watches and ponders which to sell and which to wear. Mark Smith spots some rare US uniform badges and Robert Tilney finds a letter written by Wellington, just hours before the battle of Waterloo.

Treasures discovered by the antiques experts on location in Fife include an unusual solid silver table decoration from Australia, a collection of rare Oasis CDs and a Rolex watch that has definitely seen better days. A futuristic-looking chair turns out to have a fascinating link to classic sci-fi TV shows and a jug is discovered to be by world-famous artist Pablo Picasso.

In Bradford, Runjeet Singh is amazed to see two early 19th-century albums filled with Indian paintings bought for £5 in a Dublin flea market. Adam Schoon is puzzled by a framed advertisement for a beauty salon made using the hair of 1930s Hollywood screen legend Mae West. James Broad is delighted to meet two life-sized ventriloquist dummies who once graced music hall stages across the country.

The Roadshow visits Swansea, where antiques highlights include one of the first Welsh rugby shirts, an exquisite miniature silver cabinet and a valuable collection of early Barbie dolls. Paintings expert Alexandra Gill is enchanted by a watercolor by Margaret Tarrant, a celebrated children’s illustrator, while Lisa Lloyd admires a dress, which may have been worn at the 'Ball of the Century’.

Treasures discovered by the antiques experts include a necklace gifted by an African king, a beautiful Lalique clock and a fragile horse and carriage made from straw. Charlotte Riordan is delighted to discover an early artwork by Jack Vettriano, painted before he achieved global fame. Justin Croft discovers an intriguing collection that could contain examples of the very first Christmas cards.

The Roadshow reveals unseen antique treasures, including a mask from Phantom of the Opera and Queen Victoria’s parasol. Mark Hill discovers a telegram from Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, Mark Smith examines medals belonging to the same family who served in the Boer War and the First World War and Justin Croft peeks inside a first edition of The Grapes of Wrath, signed by its author John Steinbeck.

More unseen Roadshow treasures are revealed, including an unusual tape measure and books owned by Florence Nightingale. Marc Allum is intrigued to hear about a visitor’s connection to Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, Katherine Wright examines a pair of exquisite art deco vases and festive winter treats in the form of a ceramic polar bear and a set of Victorian novelty Christmas cards are revealed.

The Roadshow reveals more unseen antique treasures from this year’s season. Marc Allum comes across a framed restaurant bill signed by John Lennon and George Harrison of The Beatles, Robert Tilney is thrilled to handle a rare shamshir sword captured in India by a cavalry officer who also took part in the Battle of Waterloo and Hilary Kay comes across a fascinating collection of bone lace bobbins.

The Roadshow visits Swansea, where highlights include unpublished, witty letters by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, an exquisite antique cameo brooch depicting Medusa, and a rare purple wedding dress from the 1870s. John Foster is thrilled to see miniature wine bottles, designed for Queen Mary’s doll's house and Ben Rogers Jones gets to meet a startling, 125-year-old ventriloquist's doll.