WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Antiques Roadshow.
An Antiques Roadshow guest was left stunned when she discovered the true value of her “private” photographs of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The show visited Roundhay Park, Leeds, where expert Clive Farahar met a guest with an impressive collection of 1940s magazines and a fascinating tale to tell.
“Well among 300 bodybuilding magazines which you’ve brought in to begin with, I managed to find these photographs here and behind it you have a wonderful story,” he started.
“These are all including Arnold Schwarzenegger and your father. Tell me about it.”
The guest shared: “Well my dad was born in India, moved to Kenya and then to England. His passion from being young was weight training.
“He was a builder but he always wanted to open his own gym which he did in the 1970s in Harrogate, the first one.
“And he first met Arnold at the age of 19 in London when he was that age there.”
Antiques Roadshow guest questions expert as he unveils true value of ‘absolutely private’ Arnold Schwarzenegger photos (Image: BBC)
Antiques Roadshow expert Clive Farahar valued a series of private Arnold Schwarzenegger photos for £2,000. (Image: BBC)
“This is the young Arnold Schwarzenegger. Gosh, yes”, Farahar exclaimed.
The guest went on: “And Arnold’s inspiration was elite bodybuilder Reg Park who made a film, Hercules.
“My dad called Arnold to do some seminars in 1981, to Leeds. He came to our house, mum cooked.”
She then revealed a photograph of herself, mum and brother alongside the young film star.
Farahar remarked: “Oh how wonderful. Look, you’ve got a wonderful photograph here and it’s ‘To Stephanie’.”
The daughter proudly displayed a photo of her father being congratulated by Arnold Schwarzenegger, remarking “he just thought my dad was so strong.”
Farahar quipped: “And your father’s got all his clothes on, for Heaven’s sake, we can’t possibly tell from that.”
He then highlighted a snap of her with her brother, famed actor and Mr America 1977 titleholder Dave Johns, exclaiming: “So that’s absolutely wonderful. I mean, that is quite incredible. Well, how do I value this?”
An Antiques Roadshow guest brought in a number of ‘private’ Arnold Schwarzenegger photos. (Image: BBC)
“You wanted me to value 300 bodybuilding magazines, I can’t. I’m not going to go there. We’ve got these lovely personal photographs.
“You’ve got about four signed photographs of Arnold Schwarzenegger. What am I going to put on it? What do you think?” he pressed, as she confessed to being clueless.
The expert declared: “I think just this small private section of the collection, I’m going to put £2,000.”
Taken aback, she exclaimed: “Really?
He elaborated: “£2,000 for unknown photographs of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“This one, I think, is a well known one. It’s the one that he used as a publicity one.
“All the other ones, as far as I can see, are absolutely private and early Arnold Schwarzenegger too. Thank you for bringing it in.”
She reflected: “I’m very proud of my father for what he did and just wanted to share it with you, something for Leeds,” receiving gratitude from him for the contribution.
Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on One and iPlayer.