Antiques Roadshow – which is on this weekend (Sunday, July 21) – has been hit by its fair share of illness and death over the years.
From a brain cancer diagnosis to the loss of a host, here are all the tragedies that have rocked the hit BBC One show…
Antiques Roadshow tragedies: Death of expert after ‘psychotic’ episode
Back in 2012, an expert on Antiques Roadshow sadly died after suffering a “psychotic episode”. Alice Gibson-Watts, 34, had given birth to a little girl, Chiara, in October 2012.
Four weeks later, her husband phoned the police after she became suddenly “hysterical” at their London home.
“She began screaming and wailing, before picking up Chiara and shaking her, shouting that her baby was dead,” he said.
It is believed that Alice had suffered from post-partum psychosis. This is a severe mental illness that can cause women who have given birth to have hallucinations and delusional thoughts.
She had to be restrained by five police and ambulance personnel as she was taken to the hospital.
Alice sadly passed away a few days later following a cardiac arrest and injury to her liver.
“She was enthralled by motherhood. One day I will tell Chiara about her wonderful mother,” her husband told the court after her death.
Death of director following cancer diagnosis
Earlier this year (2024), a director of the show, Nicky Illis, passed away following a secret battle with cancer.
Nicky first began working on Antiques Roadshow back in 2009. She also directed Fake or Fortune for the BBC.
According to Broadcast News, Nicky had been battling cancer, however, she had still worked during her fight with the disease.
Fiona Bruce, who worked alongside Nicky, paid tribute following the sad news.
“Nicky is simply irreplaceable. Not just for her huge talent but also for her sheer exuberance, enthusiasm and sense of fun. Everyone on the team loved her and none more than me,” she said at the time.
Antiques Roadshow tragedies: Death of expert Judith Miller
Last year, it was announced that Judith Miller, an expert on the show, had sadly died.
Judith was 71 when she passed away following a “short illness”.
She first joined the show in 2007. Judith had also written over 100 books about antiques and interiors.
“She had such energy and spirit, and always combined her impressively broad-ranging, in-depth knowledge of antiques with a life-long passion to make the world of collecting accessible and un-intimidating to all,” Alison Starling of Octopus publishing, said.
Terminal cancer diagnosis
In the summer of 2022, Theo Burrell, an expert on the show, was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer.
Theo, 37, was diagnosed with the disease a year after giving birth to her son.
Taking to Instagram in May, she said: “Today also marks 23 months since I was diagnosed with brain cancer.
“I really had no idea whether I would still be here when I was given the news that I had a brain tumour. I didn’t take a life expectancy, but I know my chances of still being well (so far) with no regrowth (so far) were not particularly favourable,” she then continued.
Theo continued, saying: “I continue to find the mixture of emotions a rollercoaster, and little landmines of fear and upset go off without any warning at times. Behind the scenes I’m still working on tangible changes for us all and progress continues in Scotland which we could all benefit from.”
“As I head into a scan this afternoon, and the anxiety about my upcoming results looms, I’m hanging onto my old friend hope to see me through.”
Expert Henry Sandon dies on Christmas Day
On Christmas Day 2023, expert Henry passed away at the age of 95.
His son John, who is also an expert on the show, announced the sad news at the time.
“To the millions who tuned in every Sunday evening to watch The Antiques Roadshow, Henry was like a favourite uncle, whose enthusiasm for even the humblest piece of chipped china was infectious,” he said in a statement.
“His joy when he discovered a rare Staffordshire pottery owl jug, nicknamed ‘Ozzie’, was a magic TV moment few will forget.”
Death of the show’s host
Long-time host Hugh Scully died aged 72 in 2015. He died while watching the TV at his home in Cornwall, his son Oliver said.
Hugh presented the series for 19 years between 1981 and 2000. He left the series to launch an internet auction company, being replaced by Michael Aspel.
Antiques Roadshow airs Sunday, July 21 at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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