An Antiques Roadshow guest was in disbelief when he discovered the whopping value for his unbelievable memento from the 1988 Olympic Games.
In a recent visit to Pollok Park, Glasgow, the beloved series saw experts, including Jamie Russell, appraising unique items brought by members of the public.
The ever-knowledgeable Russell was taken aback when veteran journalist Gavin Bell presented an Olympic torch, having not anticipated such an iconic item would emerge from the day’s collection.
With astonishment, Russell said: “Before I came here today to the Roadshow, I had a long list of items in my head that I thought I might see that would appear out of boxes and bags in front of me.
“But one of them was definitely not an Olympic torch. I wonder if you can tell us how you came to own this.”
Bell, with a hint of nostalgia, recounted his journey: “When I was a young lad, I was an 800 metres runner with a Glasgow club.
“So, of course, as a boy, I dreamed of running in the Olympics one day. And then eventually, the dream came true in a way I’d never have expected.
“I was posted to South Korea in advance of the 1988 Games for The Times. And so while I was there, I met a couple of young English lads who’d been appointed to do the public relations for the torch relay.
“And they found out about my athletic background and invited me to carry the torch on the first day it arrived in Korea.”
Antiques Roadshow guest exclaims ‘Gee whizz’ at staggering price for ‘iconic’ Olympic torch tied to childhood dream (Image: BBC)
Antiques Roadshow expert Jamie Russell valued the 1988 South Korean Olympic Games torch for at least £1,500. (Image: BBC)
Bell quipped that the snap of him holding the torch was “good publicity” for the Olympics and even landed on the front page of The Times.
Russell expressed his delight, saying: “I mean, it’s fantastic. And it’s really amazing to see one here in rainy Glasgow.
“And what’s also great is not only do we know from how it looks what it is but it tells us right here.”
He pointed out the inscription, which revealed the torch’s journey from Olympia, Greece to the Olympic Stadium in Seoul in 1988.
Russell admired the design, highlighting the “scrolled and gilt leather handle”, the “distinctive Olympic rings”, and the “crossing dragons and mythical figures” symbolising unity between East and West.
Veteran journalist Gavin Bell ran with the Olympic torch at the start of the 1988 South Korean Olympic Games. (Image: BBC)
After assessing the torch, he estimated its value at auction to be around £1,500 to £2,500.
Bell’s reaction was one of astonishment, his eyes widening and jaw dropping as he exclaimed: “Really?!”, followed by “Gee whizz!”
Russell nodded in agreement, saying: “And it’s such an iconic item.”
Bell jokingly remarked: “Well I can’t accept money for it, I’m an amateur!”, with Russell concurring: “One to hold on to.”
Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on One and iPlayer.