expert Marc Allum was left fighting tears after a guest shared a heartbreaking yet inspirational story about her son.
While filming the show at Tredegar House in 2014, miscellaneous expert Marc Allum looked upon a large woolwork tapestry made as a tribute to the famous rock band Status Quo.
The woman who brought the tapestry explained that it was made by her son, Colin, who was involved in a serious motorcycle accident at the age of 18.
The accident left him paralysed from the neck down. Despite having slight movement in his arms, Colin was unable to use his fingers.
Marc struggled to hold back the tears as he asked about the relevance of the tapestry. Five years after his accident, Colin gained a little more movement and decided to make a large tapestry as a tribute to his favourite band, Status Quo.
…
Marc Allum was left on the brink of tears (Image: BBC)
Colin, who his mother described as a happy boy, worked from his wheelchair and with the help of a rotating frame, remarkably used his teeth to sew the huge woolwork.
An emotionally moved Marc pointed out the intricate details that went into his work, saying: “I can see that it lists all the albums, song titles and it’s quite clearly dated.”
Marc then said the members of Status Quo needed to be made aware of the tapestry. He then spotted that the bottom of the tapestry was unfinished.
Colin’s mother revealed that he lived until the age of 39, tragically passing away before he could complete his work. Despite a number of people asking if they could finish it themselves, she refused.
Marc became visibly emotional as he quipped: “I have to say I’m so highly moved, it’s all I can do to carry on.”
Don’t miss…
Colin made the tapestry as a tribute to his favourite band, Status Quo (Image: BBC)
In a rare move, Marc deliberately chose not to mention any value other than its precious status within the family, saying: “This thing is priceless. I think it’s amazing.”
Marc then praised the guest for courageously telling her story before thanking her for coming on the show. Antiques Roadshow expert Paul Atterbury shared what happened next, revealing that Status Quo became aware of the tapestry.
He said: “Band members Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt broke from their playing to chat and look at the piece, and were obviously moved by the devotion that had gone into making it.
“As a fitting tribute and with the owner’s permission, they ‘completed’ the unfinished area at the bottom of the tapestry by signing it. It was both a sad and happy moment for all involved.
“The meeting was aired on a Christmas special and Marc described it as a ‘fitting and emotional tribute’ to someone who had endured a great deal.”