Antiques Roadshow expert issues stern warning and refuses to value item ‘found in garage’

An expert refused to value one item a guest “found in his garage”.

The hit show returned for another episode on Sunday (December 8) with Fiona Bruce back at the helm. For this week’s instalment, the show paid a visit to Beaumaris Castle in Anglesey, north Wales.

And members of the public were quick to show off their prized possessions to be valued by experts. But things took an awkward turn when expert Hilary Kay refused to value one guest’s item.

During the show, a guest brought in a brass rowlock on a board, which said: Titanic Lifeboat no.3. The item was believed to be a piece of the lifeboat from the iconic ship.

Sharing how he acquired the item, the guest revealed to expert Hilary that he had recently bought a house. As he and his family sifted through their new pad, he and his family came across the item in the corner of a garage. The guest said: “It was just in the corner really.”

As Hilary shared details about Titanic Lifeboat no.3, she revealed how lifeboat number three could have held 65 people, it’s believed there were only around 36 and 38 on board.

After the lifeboats were rescued, they were taken to Pier Number 59 at New York. Hilary said: “And then all the name boards that said Titanic were taken off, and those life boards sat there for another six months and then they were dispersed.”

But there was some bad news ahead for the guest, as Hilary issued him a stern warning.

She said: “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if I could say categorically that this is from life sort number three on the Titanic? And if it was, we could be talking about in excess of £50,00 for value.

“But you know, although there’s some probably fairy dust sprinkled over it, we can’t say for sure.

So I’m afraid, we’ve got to leave it out there as a mystery as to where it ultimately came from.” Responding, the guest didn’t seem too annoyed and said: “Cheers, thanks so much.”