Andy joined the show in 2005 as the first specialist to deal solely with glass. (Image: BBC)
Andy McConnell, ’s resident glass specialist, once detailed how he successfully made over £1 million flipping houses. The star currently lives rent-free in East Sussex after purchasing his first home almost five decades ago.
As one of Britain’s leading authorities on glassware, Andy, 71, has helped judge and value hundreds of items on Antiques Roadshow. Since joining the staple in 2005, he’s identified a variety of magnificent items, including a wine goblet worth £7,500 and a Venetian beaker that sold for a whopping £25,000 at auction.
Before becoming an expert on the long-running show, Andy worked as a rock and roll journalist in and was already on his way to becoming a property tycoon. In an interview with , the star claims purchasing his first home was the “best money decision” he ever made.
It’s understood Andy forked out £2,750 for a two-bed cottage in Rye, East Sussex in 1979. The decrepit house was in such poor condition that he was forced to collect water from the nearby river just to flush the toilet.
“I’ve always been handy so I did it up and turned it into a liveable place,” he explained. “Ten years later, I sold it for about £150,000.”
The expert claimed he’d ‘made more money from property’ than any other job he’s held down. (Image: BBC)
Andy told that he bought three more houses in and around Rye for £80,000 before flipping them for £400,000-plus each.
“We also purchased a manor house in Dordogne, France, in 1988, for £17,000 and sold it for £200,000,” he told the publication.
“The next-door house in France cost £18,000 and we sold it for £220,000.
“I bought my current house near Rye four years ago for £230,000 and it’s gone up in value.
Andy claims he has “made well over £1m buying and selling property”.
“I can turn a sow’s ear into a silk purse and reckon a good doorknob can add 10 per cent to a home’s value,” he added.
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The icon admitted he bought his first house for just £2,750 in 1979. (Image: BBC)
The glass enthusiast’s current residence – a -free, two-bed house on the beachfront outside Rye – was allegedly a “total fleapit” when he initially put a downpayment on it.
“In fact, the particulars said it was unfit for human habitation so I thought it was just right for me and got £95,000 off the asking price.
“All I’ve done so far is install a new bathroom and new boiler but I’m planning a complete renovation.”
Earlier this year, Andy admitted he was “ashamed” by the UK’s decision to exit the (EU) in 2020.
The former journalist claimed the move for “six months every winter to South East Asia.”
“It’s a luxury but it is also a money-saving exercise because I don’t have to pay to heat my house in winter,” he explained.
“I go because of – I’m so ashamed of my country and that decision, I feel I need to get out.”
Antiques Roadshow airs Sunday on One at 6.15pm.