[CAR WHEELS] [THEME MUSIC] NARRATOR: The nation's favorite celebrities-- I've got some proper bling, here.

NARRATOR: --paired up with an expert-- Point, point.

NARRATOR: --and a classic car.

[SHOUTING AT JOGGERS] TOGETHER: Hi, girls.

NARRATOR: Their mission?

To scour Britain for antiques.

All breakages must be paid for.

This is a good find, is it not?

NARRATOR: The aim?

To make the biggest profit at auction.

But it's no easy ride.

Who will find a hidden gem?

Who will take the biggest risks?

Putting my antiques head on.

NARRATOR: Will anybody follow expert advice?

I think it's horrible.

NARRATOR: There will be worthy winners-- This is better than Christmas.

NARRATOR: --and valiant losers.

I'm sorry.

NARRATOR: Time to put your pedal to the metal.

TOGETHER: Woo hoo!

NARRATOR: This is "Celebrity Antiques Road Trip."

Yeah.

On this road trip, we're going snooker loopy with two superstars of the old green baize, Dennis Taylor and Willie Thorne.

Den, I was thinking the other night when I was at home, with knowing we were going to do this program, I've known you since I was 19.

We've remained firm friends ever since Then, uh-- I think in our day, Dennis, everybody stayed friends, didn't they?

- Well, you were.

You traveled together.

Do you remember we shared a room in Toronto?

Socks, the socks.

NARRATOR: The socks?

Hmm, in the 1970s and 80s, Willie Thorne was among the most celebrated stars of the booming snooker scene.

Nicknamed Mr.

Maximum, he was one of the world's top ranking players.

But Den, I've got to be honest.

I'm looking forward to this antiques road trip.

We have a battle, don't we, over the years?

Now, you're a better mate strictly.

You won the World Championship.

I never did.

You're a better golfer than I am.

It's now beginning to really get on my nerves, to be fairly honest.

[UPBEAT MUSIC] NARRATOR: A towering titan of the snooker table, Dennis Taylor was known in the 80s for his arresting eye wear.

But there's one seismic British sporting moment for which he'll always be remembered.

Now listen, Den, while we're on this trip, I know you don't like to mention it, but the 1995 World Championship?

NARRATOR: Dennis won the 1985 Snooker World Championship, beating Steve Davis in a dramatic black ball final that ranked as one of the most thrilling in all of British sport.

But you never mention it now, Den, do you?

No, I never mention it.

Yeah, we have a lot of fun taking the mickey out of [INAUDIBLE].

But trust me, we all wish we were there, mate.

We all wish we had done the same thing.

NARRATOR: Today, they're driving a delightful 1960s Jaguar E-Type coupe the color of the summer sun.

There'll be a bit more room in the car when you're not in it.

We'll take it.

I said I'm on a diet.

I bought that Jane Fonda video to help me, you know, "On the Golden Pond."

I didn't understand why I never lost any weight.

[JAUNTY MUSIC] NARRATOR: Joining them on this jolly jaunt are two elegant auctioneers at the top of their game, Catherine Southon and Christina Trevanion.

See, we never road tripped together before.

We have not.

- That's pretty exciting-- - Here we are.

--eh?

Girls on tour.

NARRATOR: This morning, the girls are driving a dashing 1965 Rover P5.

Catherine's remembering her girlhood as a 1980s snooker fan.

There was this crazy song once upon a time-- (SINGING) Snooker loopy nuts are we, we're all snooker loopy.

NARRATOR: There was, too.

[MUSIC - CHAS (SINGING) Snooker loopy, nuts are we.

In 1986, Dennis and Willie starred in a Chas and Dave hit single that went to number six in the charts, "Snooker Loopy."

How we never got to number one I'll never know.

Can you remember your verse?

(SINGING) But them lane paths he never ever got.

Why?

The old mind boggles.

But now again, he pots the lot cause I wear these goggles.

(SINGING) Snooker loopy, nuts are we, me and him and them and me.

NARRATOR: With 400 pounds to spend, our two teams will travel through England's heartlands, beginning in the Hertfordshire town of Sawbridgeworth and aiming for auction in Leicester.

(SINGING) Snooker loopy, nuts are we.

It's time for celebrities to meet experts.

- Wowee.

- What a machine.

Look at that.

That's a bit special, isn't it?

Hello.

What is that?

It's a Jag, isn't it?

Brilliant, I love it.

Let's go and grab them out of the car.

NARRATOR: They've already decided that Christina will pair with Willie, and Catherine with Dennis.

- Lovely to meet you.

- How are you?

- Am I with you?

- Yes.

I'm Cat.

Lovely to meet you.

How are you?

Are you well?

We must win, by the way.

I wouldn't say I'm competitive.

I don't mind losing.

But I can't stand getting beat.

Oh, ho, ho, Catherine.

We'll be fine.

We'll be fine.

- You think Catherine, yeah?

- Brilliant.

Right, I think we're up for it.

Yes.

NARRATOR: Then it's time to hit the road.

They're driving off in their newly minted teams.

And Christina's quizzing Willie on his recent career.

So from super duper, international snooker player to commentator-- Yeah, absolutely.

You can talk about uh, things they do well, things they do bad.

So you've got to be very careful today.

Because if you start doing things bad, I might be doing commentary.

Oh no, you're going to give me a running commentary.

Oh, good lord.

But what a terrible buy this is from Christina.

She should have known better.

She should have played safe and offered something else.

Straight from the [INAUDIBLE] fields.

I'll give you all that.

NARRATOR: You have been warned, Christina.

Meanwhile, Catherine's remembering Dennis's World Championship victory.

I remember, we all went to school the next day.

And when we had the science classes, you know, when you wear the goggles for science, we all turned our-- our glasses upside down saying, oh, we are Dennis Taylor.

Eddie Charlton said when he seen me, he said-- he said, Dennis, he said, you-- you look like the front end of a Ford Cortina.

Now, that's an old car.

NARRATOR: They're approaching Sawbridgeworth, a very pretty little Hertfordshire town through which flows the River Stort.

Dennis and Catherine are heading into their first shop of the day, Herts and Essex Antique Center.

Ah.

Here we go.

This is it.

NARRATOR: Dealer Nick is ready to greet them.

Mm, I recognize this place.

Hello.

Hello, welcome, welcome to the Herts and Essex again.

- Thank you.

- Lovely to see you.

Nick, nice to see you.

Hello and welcome.

NARRATOR: This is a sprawling place with goods belonging to many dealers.

[BOUNCY MUSIC] If we go through every cabinet-- Well, we'll be here for a month.

We will be here for a month.

You're used to long tournaments though, aren't you?

Oh, yeah.

NARRATOR: When who should he spot?

Who does that remind you of?

Oh, you're horrible.

- No, no.

- It does look like-- - Listen-- - --Willie.

It really looks like Willie.

Willie thought-- I'll tell you-- NARRATOR: But nearby is yet another legend of the game.

Oh, here you are.

What's this?

Billiards.

- Oh, look at them.

Billiards.

Can we take that down at all?

We can take that done.

Well, in fact, that is Joe Davis, the legendary.

Joe really got snooker going.

NARRATOR: Joe Davis was a world-beating billiards player in the mid 20th century.

He was a pioneer of World Champion snooker, too.

Did you know him?

I met-- yeah.

He had retired.

But I went to Canada with Joe.

Without him, I wouldn't have made a living playing snooker.

Was he sort of a hero of yours?

He was the man.

Joe Davis was 20 years undefeated World Champion.

NARRATOR: He was.

But they're not sure they can turn a profit on the picture.

So Catherine's seen something else which might kick off their buying.

- Changing the subject-- - Right.

Oh.

What do you think about those?

I just spotted those.

They're little boots.

They're wooden little boots.

And they are some sort of sewing accessory, never seen anything like that.

I-- I think they're very unusual.

I've never seen anything like that, before.

It says on them, cotton winders.

NARRATOR: The cotton winders are sewing accessories shaped as Victorian ladies boots.

85 pounds on the ticket.

How good are you at haggling?

Oh, I can haggle here.

NARRATOR: Yeah, go then.

Dennis, over to you.

Nick, Catherine spotted these lovely little boots.

Do you know anything more about the boots at all?

I've not seen them, so.

- Oh, there we go.

- Oh.

- Well, listen-- - Have they just come in?

NARRATOR: Yes.

They belong to another dealer.

I'm sure he would accept 75.

75?

Now that's-- what-- what do you-- He's-- he's a very tough cookie.

I'll tell you what he would do.

[INAUDIBLE] He would do a deal on 68, wouldn't he?

He's got to do a deal on 68.

I can try.

NARRATOR: Nick will call the dealer in question.

Perhaps, Dennis can sweet talk the chap.

Dennis, would you like to have a quick word with the dealer?

Because-- - Oh.

Is it-- what's his first name, is it?

His name is Ray.

Ray.

Ray, how are you doing?

Oh, you like the old snooker, do you?

NARRATOR: Dennis is getting stuck into the haggle.

Good man.

Ray, can you-- can you do it for 68 for us?

(ON PHONE) Oh, I could definitely do 68.

He says definitely, so that's-- Fantastic, well done.

Bye, bye.

That's wonderful.

What a lovely fellow, he sounded so friendly.

NARRATOR: Dennis makes a hard haggle look easy as pie.

He's one to watch, that boy.

(SINGING) These boots were made for walking.

And that's just what we'll do.

[MUSIC - NANCY SINATRA, "THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKING"] One of these days these boots are going to walk all over you.

NANCY SINATRA (SINGING): Start walking.

NARRATOR: Lordy.

Meanwhile, Willie and Christina are mere moments away and arriving at another Sawbridgeworth shop.

Will we get out?

Absolutely, eventually.

[TRAIN HORN] Oh, this is service.

Yeah, service with a smile.

I never got this in the snooker world.

There we go.

This is my [INAUDIBLE] jacket.

Let's go, go, go.

NARRATOR: Good, good, go on then.

Have you been here before?

No, never before in my life.

They're heading into Cromwell's Antique Center.

Oh, wow.

Oh, wow.

Wow, goodness me.

Oh, I love this place already.

- How are you?

Hello.

Hello, hi, I'm Christina.

- Hi, nice to meet you.

- Who are you?

- Hi, I'm Eleanor.

- Eleanor, lovely to meet you.

And I'm Willie Thorne.

You're far too young to know who I am.

NARRATOR: You charmer, Willie.

Now, time for a good old browse, eh?

[JAZZY MUSIC] A black and white Spaniel.

So is this the sort of antique shop that you generally come into, Willie?

I love going to antique fairs and things like that, and picking up little bargains and that.

You know, we always buy something.

NARRATOR: This chap's got form.

Good to know.

So what's our tactic?

What are you thinking?

Because we've got 400 pounds.

Yeah.

Do you want to spend small, or do you want to spend like-- - Large.

- --are we-- really?

We're getting rid of-- we're getting rid of all of it.

As I told you, we've got to win.

NARRATOR: With that championship level of ambition, anything could happen.

That is brilliant.

That's fabulous.

Silver-plated late Victorian dinner gong on horn mounts with eight base.

OK, so here's a question.

Yeah?

When was the last time you used a dinner gong?

You remember when was the last time?

You couldn't ask me a question on sport, could you?

NARRATOR: Willie is keen to spot a bargain, but Christina doesn't think the gong will turn a profit.

But she's soon spotted something else.

Now, that's really interesting-- rare, original Clarice Cliff artwork.

Have you heard of Clarice Cliff?

Oh, Clarice Cliff, very much so.

Yeah, so-- Oh, that's what goes on the pottery wheel.

Yeah, so that would have been a design for a piece of pottery for Clarice Cliff.

NARRATOR: Early 20th century ceramics designer Clarice Cliff is hugely popular.

The ticket says this is an original design for one of her pieces.

But they'll need to check that provenance.

Ticket price is 250 pounds.

- Hi, Eleanor.

- Hi.

Hello, my love.

Is it-- do you know if there's any provenance behind this?

Do you know if there's any-- any history behind it, or who got it from where?

Um, it's nothing I know personally.

I can give the dealer a call for you and-- Would you mind?

Yeah, definitely, I'll make the phone call.

And would it be possible to take it out of its frame, because it's probably on there?

Would that be all right?

- Yeah, it's grand.

- Great.

Thank you ever so much.

Ah, see that's nice.

That's promising.

Oh, OK. OK, we have some information.

A-ha, well done, Eleanor.

Um, so it used to belong to an old lady who used to work-- used to work there-- - Oh, really?

--in Clarice Cliff.

So um-- Gosh, that's amazing.

So yeah, they got it from her.

Oh, brilliant.

They don't have any address or proof of it, however.

And the dealer said their best price would be 180.

NARRATOR: There's no paperwork to authenticate its provenance.

But Christina thinks it's worth taking a chance on.

Over to Willie for their first haggle.

So what do you think is the very best you could do then?

Very best, um, we'll help you out.

We'll do it for 100.

You're kidding?

Really?

Am I allowed to give you a little-- NARRATOR: That's a very generous deal.

But without provenance, it is a risk.

And Christina is going to have to make some calls to research the item before the auction.

We just bought something.

We bought the-- we bought an item.

NARRATOR: They sure have.

But their big break's not over yet.

Is there anything else?

See, that's interesting.

See, it's stamped Sterling 95, Denmark.

Danish jewelry is really, really popular right now.

Mm-hmm.

Really, really popular.

Why?

Because it is.

I mean, it-- because it's-- it's just becoming-- sort of 1930s, 1940s Scandinavian jewelry, there's been quite a few auctions recently that featured a lot of it.

Would Mrs. Thorne like something like that?

Um, on a-- a-- a jacket, yeah.

Mm.

NARRATOR: Ticket price is 14 pounds, back to the lovely Eleanor.

Eleanor?

Yes?

Is it possible-- because what was-- that was marked up at 14, wasn't it?

Yes, it was, 14 pounds.

And can we say 5 pounds?

I'm afraid, unfortunately, we don't normally do discounts for anything less than 20 pounds.

Oh.

So we tend to have a 20 pound cut-off point.

Eleanor.

I'm very sorry.

Goodness me, can you meet us halfway and say a tenner, Eleanor?

Go on, then.

I'll do it for a tenner.

- A tenner?

- Just this time.

Jolly good.

A tenner, a tenner from Eleanor.

A tenner from Eleanor.

- Brilliant, you're an angel.

- Thank you, Eleanor.

Thank you, so much.

You've been really kind.

Right, have you got the readies?

- Oh, of course.

Right.

NARRATOR: Great teamwork in that shop.

What a pair of charmers.

And 20, thank you very much for your time.

- Thank you.

- It was a pleasure to meet you.

- Lovely to meet you.

- Thank you, very much.

Thanks, take care now.

Thanks.

NARRATOR: And off they go.

[ORCHESTRAL MUSIC] Now, Dennis and Catherine are taking a breather from buying.

I never dreamt I'd be sitting in a-- an E-Type Jag-- An E-Type Jag, [INAUDIBLE].

I'm in the middle of the country with a gorgeous blonde girl beside me.

Oh, thank you, Dennis.

You say the right things.

NARRATOR: He's a charming fellow.

They're heading deep into the Hertfordshire countryside and to stately home, Knebworth House.

Dennis has come to learn the story of one of Knebworth's most celebrated sons, who in the 1920s, was himself a pioneering sporting hero.

They're meeting the current resident, the Honorable Henry Lytton-Cobbold.

- Oh.

- How are you?

Let me give you a hand.

Nice to see you.

- Good to see you.

- Welcome to Knebworth.

Nice to see you.

Hi Catherine, welcome to Knebworth.

- Hello Henry, Catherine.

- Lovely to see you.

Hi, nice to meet you.

This is wonderful.

- Thank you, very much.

- Oh absolutely, it's gorgeous.

- Come on in.

- Beautiful grounds.

Thank you very much, indeed.

[PIANO MUSIC] Henry, I think this room was made to have a snooker table right in the middle.

- I think you're right, Dennis.

I think you're right.

Wouldn't it be perfect?

It would be absolutely perfect.

Perfect proportions.

The poshest snooker room in the world, right?

Yeah.

So here we are in the banqueting hall.

And this is the oldest room in the house.

The Lytton family moved here in 1490.

And I'm the 19th generation of the Lytton family to live in this house.

But today, we're going to go back to the 16th generation and their family, and talk about the son of-- the eldest son of that time, a young man called Antony, who was really the great sportsman of the Lytton family, a really remarkable young man of very much of a high achiever, a great, great, great, early 20th century character.

When you say a sport, did he excel in any particular sport?

He played a big part in the introduction of skiing.

And we can come and see some of the examples, if you follow me.

Love to, thank you.

So come on in here to the nursery.

Thank you very-- oh, look at this.

Isn't this lovely?

Isn't this wonderful?

Sir Antony and his-- his brother and two sisters grew up at Knebworth House.

And these are all the things that they loved.

[VIOLIN MUSIC] NARRATOR: Antony Bulwer-Lytton, Viscount Knebworth, was born in 1903.

And a great record of his adventuresome life survives.

So how did you know so much about him?

He was a fantastic letter writer.

He went away-- he was sent away to boarding school.

And he wrote endless letters, wonderful letters, and uh-- which we have in our archive.

I mean one, he was a beautiful letter writer.

And two, they tell of all of his enthusiasm and his zest and love for life.

NARRATOR: They also tell of his passion for sporting adventures, which his family encouraged.

His father used to take his children up to the Alps before the First World War to sort of do healthy Alpine things.

Wow.

I mean, this was a sort of a new thing, really.

Totally new.

Yeah, and-- and that-- it was associated with this chap called Sir Henry Lunn and his son, Arnold Lunn.

NARRATOR: On their trips to the Alps, the Bulwer-Lytton family became friendly with the Lunns.

Young chums Antony Bulwer-Lytton and Arnold Lunn were both devoted to Alpine thrill seeking.

Together, they became early pioneers of a whole new sport-- downhill skiing.

Antony and-- and Arnold Lunn created the first downhill race.

Oh.

Prior to that, I think the Swedes and the Swiss had sort of done competitions with sort of cross-country skiing.

Mm-hmm.

But it was the British who were the first to institute downhill racing.

And um-- That's amazing.

--and they created the downhill and the slalom races that began in the early 1920s.

What sort of clothing would they have been wearing when they were on the skis all, you know-- Well, I'm really pleased you asked that Dennis, because we've got the clothing that they used to wear.

Come-- come and-- come and have a look at it.

Thank you.

I will.

So here, we've got Antony's ski jumper and his wonderful old skis, I mean, these beautiful old wooden skis and uh, and bamboo pole-- ski poles.

They're amazing.

So how-- how good was he?

He was extremely good.

As I say, he won-- he won the downhill cup, I think the second time they ran it.

I think it was 1924, I think he won.

So he was a-- he was a great speed king.

He and his friend, Arnold Lunn, loved the concept of speed and slaloming and downhill racing.

Some of the shots of him jumping, you know, is incredible.

And he's got a tweed jacket on.

No going to lily whites back then.

You know, he was-- he basically-- he basically-- yeah, they were improvising with their clothes because they were the pioneers of-- taking Alpine holidays.

NARRATOR: Antony's passion for speed soon led him into another pioneering and dangerous pursuit, early aviation.

Flying then became his big passion at the end of the 1920s.

And his sort of need for speed moved from the slopes up into the air.

And he was a very fine pilot, joined the RAF reserves.

NARRATOR: Antony flew many trips from right here at Knebworth.

And um, flying is what uh, caused the end of his life, because he was killed in a flying accident just 10 days before his 30th birthday.

Oh.

That's tragic.

That's really sad, isn't it?

He wasn't quite 30, but what a-- Mm-hmm.

--what a life he had lived, you know, really lived life to the full.

Absolutely.

And um-- but it-- So passionate.

But his father, very beautifully, collected a lot of his letters into this book, which-- which he called "Antony, a Record of Youth," which became a great bestseller in the 1930s.

Oh, yeah.

NARRATOR: And the famous author of "Peter Pan" paid moving tribute to this lost adventurer of the age.

JM Barrie of "Peter Pan" did a wonderful forward to it, you know, celebrating him as uh, as one of the-- so to speak, the Lost Boys of that generation, that "Peter Pan" generation.

And it uh, it was very widely read.

And um, and he became a real symbol for this sort of character, who was really sort of one step ahead of himself.

NARRATOR: Antony was a great example of his buccaneering 1920s generation, who pioneered the adventurous Alpine sports we still enjoy today.

To me, he's very much that sort of "Bulldog Drummond" type character.

- Yeah.

I mean, we've talked about him in his tweed jacket and his tie.

But the sort of man who can do the-- you know, win the downhill slalom, you know, save the world and finish the London to Brighton, and still be home in time for tea.

Well, thank you so much.

Well, thanks for popping by.

And uh, really enjoyed being at Knebworth.

Brilliant.

Great fun.

- Henry, thank you very much.

- Great fun.

Thank you so much, Henry.

Really, really fun.

Thank you.

NARRATOR: Now, Willie and Christina are back in the car and enjoying the ride.

Dennis is in the E-Type.

I'm pretty-- I'm got to be perfectly honest.

I'm pretty pleased we're in a big car.

Oh, really?

Because you may have noticed, I've ripped my shirt.

And that was-- - You haven't?

--that was getting in and out of the E-Type.

- Hey, I tell you what.

- So, I'm now pleased-- You're going to get me a reputation, ripping shirts off gentlemen.

NARRATOR: They're moving on to the village of Finchingfield in Essex, a very pretty little place where they'll be ducking and diving off into their next shop.

- Well, well.

- Whee.

Whee, perfect.

NARRATOR: You do seem to be enjoying yourselves with poise and purpose.

Let's go.

NARRATOR: They're off into Finchingfield Antiques, where dealers Peter and Mary are waiting to greet them.

- Hello.

- Hello, how are you?

Hello, hello.

Nice to meet you.

I'm Christina.

- Hello.

- Peter, Willie Thorne.

- Willie Thorne, yeah.

- Mary, how nice to see you.

How are you?

All right?

NARRATOR: And they're off.

[BOUNCY MUSIC] Now, they've bagged a couple of items.

It's time for a bit of a mid-match commentary from Mr. Thorne.

Christina's very much a safety player in the terms of snooker, you know.

I put her in the mold of a Cliff Thorburn or a Dennis Taylor, who is doing today.

I'm sure he's going to be taking his time to buy things.

I lean a little bit more impulsive, like a Jimmy White or something.

NARRATOR: Here's hoping this pair's trademarked combination of impulse and caution pays off.

Oh, I want this.

It's only 1,100.

Only?

NARRATOR: Mm, you may need to take him in hand, Christina.

Oh look, golf.

Exactly, just looking at that.

But I don't know whether they sell, do they?

That's completely you, isn't it?

You're a big golfer.

I'm just big.

No.

The sound of clocks ticking, it's just lovely isn't it?

It's a lovely sound.

NARRATOR: But the clock is ticking, chaps.

Enough tomfoolery.

What's Willie got there?

What's that?

Is it a hat pin or a tie?

A little stop pin or something, yes.

That's quite [INAUDIBLE] isn't it?

A little coral set, what looks like gold stock pin.

NARRATOR: It's a pin to secure a necktie, just the thing for a sharp dresser like Willie.

Ticket price, 39 pounds.

It's quite sharp, isn't it?

Well, thanks.

Sticking pins in me now?

I thought you liked me.

I do.

At auction, we're probably looking at maybe 20 or 30 pounds for that.

OK.

So if you can work your Mr.

Maximum magic, that would be good.

That would be very good.

[CLOCK CHIMES] What do you mean?

Do we need to get it for about 15 pounds or something?

Well-- Is he standing close enough to hear that?

- Yeah, I think he might be.

- Is he?

He's just there.

He-- does have a smile on his face at the moment or not?

No, not really.

So 15 doesn't sound very good.

He looks a little bit grumpy.

Let me walk a bit closer to him.

OK. NARRATOR: Obligingly, Peter will call the dealer who owns.

It's up at 39.

What would be the very best for Willie?

The very, very, very, very best.

25?

20 and you've got a deal.

Oh, 20 you've got a deal, apparently.

Did you hear that?

OK, yeah, thanks very much.

You got a deal, there.

Oh, bless you, sir.

NARRATOR: Some cunning teamwork secures them the prize.

Good show.

And with that, it's the end of the first day of this trip.

Nighty night, you lovely lot.

[POP MUSIC] But the morning greets Dennis and Willie back in the car and getting competitive.

Well Den, second day, we had a super first day.

Tell me about your first day.

It was fantastic, absolutely.

Catherine was great, taught me an awful lot about antiques.

And uh, I think I might have learned enough to maybe beat the great WT.

Well, Den, we've only got to get two more things done.

So uh, you've got a little bit of catching up to do.

But I've heard you're good for-- you're good from behind, aren't you?

Well, that's what Steve Davis told me, you know.

Although-- 8-0 behind and still managed to beat him.

Why would I bring that up again, the 1985 World Cup?

Now you see, people say I bring it up.

But there you go, it was you that brought-- I never even mentioned it.

NARRATOR: You didn't, Dennis.

It's true.

So our boys are learning the antiques lark.

But have the girls gone snooker loopy yet?

I did learn quite a lot.

They don't have teams.

No.

Oh god, Christina.

What?

Oh, really.

They play-- they take it in turns.

NARRATOR: You'll be winning tournaments in no time.

Have you learnt any more lyrics of the song?

Please tell me you've learnt some more lyrics.

You's learnt the second line, at least.

Yes, I do know a bit more now.

OK so, it's snooker loopy nuts are we.

We're all snooker loopy.

And I've forgotten it.

NARRATOR: Honestly.

Time to meet the boys and get hunting.

Alas, the girlies.

Here they come.

Hello.

How are you?

Oh, good morning.

Hello, how are you?

I hope you finish second.

Yeah, I'm fine.

He's competitive again.

Oh, is he?

TOGETHER: NARRATOR: He is rather, isn't he?

Well, have fun guys.

- Enjoy, see you later.

- All right, bye bye.

Bye.

Bye.

NARRATOR: So far, Willie and Christina has spent 130 pounds on three lots-- the Clarice Cliff watercolor, a Danish brooch, the coral stick pin.

They still have 270 pounds for today.

Dennis and Catherine have spent only 68 pounds on one item-- Fantastic, well done.

NARRATOR: --the little boot bobbins, leaving them with 332 pounds begging to be spent.

But it sounds like Willie's joshing has spurred on Dennis.

Today is all about-- all-out attack today.

Oh, yes.

Well, if you compare it to snooker, Steve Davis-- we-- we did our Steve Davis yesterday.

We're cautious-- - We're cautious.

--didn't rush in.

No.

And now today, it's going to be Ronnie O'Sullivan, all-out attack.

We're gone for the old maximum [INAUDIBLE] today.

Bang, bang, bang.

Yeah.

NARRATOR: Blimey.

They've motored on to Bletchley in Buckinghamshire-- This must be us here.

NARRATOR: --and to Fenny Antique Center to greet dealer, Mags.

I think we're on a winner here.

- Ooh, I think we are.

- Hello.

- Welcome.

- Hi.

Mags, how are you?

I'm Catherine, nice to meet you.

Oh, he's going in for the kiss.

Absolutely.

Why not?

He's going in for the kiss already.

Let me-- let me ring-- oh.

[BELL DINGS] NARRATOR: Well, Dennis certainly seems determined to lay on the charm, today.

Who's a pretty boy, then?

[JAZZY MUSIC] That's quite a nice little domino set there, believe it or not.

I remember, it was a very famous club-- very wealthy club, in fact-- they had diamond studded dominoes.

And one of my uncles got arrested for stealing a double blank.

That's terrible.

NARRATOR: It's the way you tell them, Dennis.

But he's doing some independent browsing this morning, and doing rather well.

And that's quite collectable you think?

- Yeah.

- Yeah, yeah.

Have you had that-- this one in very long?

No, that just came in yesterday, believe it or not.

Did it?

NARRATOR: It's a 19th century Japanese ink well, priced at 120 pounds.

One to think about, eh?

He just came in and shoom, like lightning.

I mean, he really was going for it.

Quite, Catherine.

Anything caught your eye, girl?

Excuse me, sir.

Is this your unicycle?

Oh, it is.

Yeah, yeah, that's mine.

Yes.

NARRATOR: It is indeed a 1970s unicycle, which hasn't yet been ticketed.

I-- I-- I think as it's just up, I think what we'll do is as long as I make a little bit of profit, I don't mind.

Right.

So I think we could do it probably for about the 15.

NARRATOR: Catherine will have to consult the Joker in Chief.

[BELL TINKLES] Oh, I think-- I think I'm being summoned.

Eh?

Dennis?

It's like my head teacher used to be at school when the bell rang.

You're being summoned.

Oh.

OK well, I have found something.

All right.

Would you like to follow me and have a look?

It's not this little thing hidden away in the corner behind the plant?

People are into all these at the moment.

Do you know-- People are really into their cycling.

I might buy that myself, if there was another wheel on it.

Could you open that door?

I'm coming through.

NARRATOR: Dennis seems happy to run away with it.

But in the spirit of ruthless competition-- Could you just tell us your-- your rock bottom price?

I think probably the best price I could do-- to say know with the price that I've put everything else-- a tenner.

NARRATOR: A steal, so they're taking that.

Deal done decisively.

There was something else that I looked at.

It's in this area, going back to your heritage, going back to where you came from.

Oh now, something from Ireland.

Let's have a look.

A Belfast sink?

People use those to put their plants in, in the garden.

- Oh, do they?

- Yeah.

NARRATOR: They do.

It's ticketed at 25 pounds.

But what sort of money did they go for?

I think what we'd be looking at with that is, again, probably buying it, if possible, for sort of 10 pounds or something.

And making-- and then hopefully, selling it for sort of 30-- Yeah, well.

--35.

NARRATOR: So that's another possibility.

But Dennis is still keen to show Catherine the inkwell he liked earlier.

It-- it looks very unusual.

But Mags, would you be able to get that?

It's a Japanese-- it's like an inkwell.

This is all lovely.

I mean, I think it is attractive, I must admit.

NARRATOR: Good instincts, Dennis.

But at 120 on the ticket, you'll need to turn on the charm.

Mags, do you like snooker?

- I love it.

- Oh.

Yeah.

Do you love it?

Do you love it?

Do-- do you like Irishmen that play snooker?

I do.

Mags, if you do us your best price on that, see if we can beat Willy Thorne.

For you, and it's the best price, is 80 pounds, Dennis.

80 pounds.

I got to have a go.

- It's-- it's just-- You've got to have a go?

No listen, 80 pounds-- It's just-- I mean, that's fantastic.

I'm going to give Mags another kiss here by the looks of things.

- Ah, oh.

Where's that bell?

Where's the bell?

Where's the bell?

- Ring the bell, again.

- Ring the bell.

[KISSING SOUNDS] NARRATOR: Lovely.

But aren't you forgetting something?

Of course, the Belfast sink.

Well, it was 25.

Mm-hmm.

What would be your best price on that?

We'd go for 18.

So now, I think-- do you know, I think we could have a deal if Mags would do it for 14.

We would have a deal.

It might cost another kiss again here for 14.

Well, I'll do 14 with another kiss.

Go on.

Go 14.

Go on, Mags.

[KISSING SOUNDS] - Thank you.

- It's brilliant.

- Thank you very much, indeed.

Thanks, again.

Thank you, Mags.

- Thank you.

- Thank you.

- Madness, complete madness.

- I-- I can't believe what we've bought.

--never dreamt in my wildest dreams that I'd be coming out of here having bought a unicycle-- I know.

I'm sorry.

--and a Belfast sink.

NARRATOR: No one would have expected that, Dennis.

And one more for luck.

NARRATOR: They spent 104 pounds on the three items.

That blitz of buying has put them back in the game.

Bravo.

Now, Willie and Christina are back on the road.

Snooker loopy nuts are we.

We're all snooker-- TOGETHER: --loopy.

NARRATOR: Now you're in the swing, Christina.

(SINGING) We'll show you what we can do with a load of balls-- TOGETHER: --and a snooker cue.

(SINGING) Pop the reds, then screw back for the yellow, green, brown, blue, pink and black.

Yellow, blue,-- and word, hang a second.

Yellow, green, brown-- - Yellow, green, brown-- - --blue-- - --blue-- - --pink and black.

--pink and black.

NARRATOR: Keep working on it, though.

Now, while Dennis and Willie were a big hit in the 80s music scene, this morning, Willie and Christina are taking a break from buying to hear about a best-selling musician of an earlier era.

They're driving to the outskirts of Bedford in Bedfordshire.

They're aiming for RAF Twinwood Farm and meeting John Miller, an American chap who leads a swinging big band here in the UK.

And he has a famous family connection to this air base.

- Hello.

- Howdy.

How are you?

- Christina?

- Yes, indeed.

Ooh.

Lots of kisses.

Mr. Thorne.

Willie Thorne, how nice to see you.

Oh, really?

Oh, I don't mind a kiss.

- Nice to see you.

NARRATOR: Oh, very continental.

- Good morning.

Welcome to Twinwood.

NARRATOR: John is the nephew of Glenn Miller, probably the US musician most famously associated with World War Two, and with good reason.

Miller led a hugely successful a big band, whose swing sound earned him success around the world, even in Hollywood.

In 1942, Miller patriotically enlisted in the US military, and served as a military band leader and official entertainer to the Allied forces.

He brought his famous Army Air Force band to Britain in 1944.

[GLENN MILLER MUSIC] You'll like it in here.

Oh wow, look at that.

Oh well, it's a-- What was your uncle's connection with the base?

Ah well, he was-- he was billeted not far, as was the band.

His band actually played out here at one point, as well as so many other places in the UK.

And he was a serving serviceman.

- Yeah.

- Yeah?

He had a band.

Glenn had a band.

And he came over here because he was a patriotic guy, and he wanted to bring a little bit of home to all the fellas.

It's interesting to note that they wouldn't have drafted him.

He wanted to come in and they wanted to entertain the troops.

NARRATOR: Miller's band toured, and their concerts broadcast to millions of listeners.

How big was his band when he first-- when he-- did he bring everybody over?

Was it a massive band?

He had about 60 guys-- Wow.

--54, 60 with tertiary people.

NARRATOR: And Miller's band brought a new swing sound to military music.

[MUSIC - GLENN MILLER, "ST. LOUIS BLUES MARCH"] It was the way they played marches and things like that.

"St. Louis Blues March" is the one that everybody looks at, because it kind of was a swing and a march, you see.

And you could walk down the street and sort of strut your stuff while you were-- Puff your chest out.

--while you were mar-- yeah, right.

Yeah.

I would imagine that the band and here were very important for keeping morale up amongst the troops.

Amongst the troops and the civilians.

He-- he played for everybody.

I've met hundreds of people that have seen his shows.

I'm constantly amazed that he could leave such an indelible impression upon this country in under six months.

NARRATOR: In the later years of the war, visiting US superstars like Miller made a huge contribution to boosting morale in war-torn, Allied Europe.

So what happened to your uncle?

Well, he got on a plane right down there.

He was going to Paris to make billeting for the band.

NARRATOR: In December 1944, Glenn Miller took off from here at Twinwood.

Two days later, his band followed.

He wasn't there to meet them.

That was unusual, because he always met them.

Yeah, well maybe he's at the hotel.

Going to the hotel, he's not there.

Oh, come on.

They had to call around all of the other bases that they might have diverted to-- Yeah, because the weather or whatever.

--because the-- the weather wasn't particularly good over there.

And by the time powers that be could call all the alternate airports-- Oh, my goodness.

Oh.

--finally it dawns you, he's not here.

He's gone.

NARRATOR: Tragically, Miller's aircraft had disappeared over the English Channel two days earlier.

The plane was never recovered, and the cause of the crash remains a mystery to this day.

His band was devastated.

He was the driving force.

And they canceled two-- two concerts.

But the Christmas show, the December 25 was going to be broadcast to the States.

And they felt that they couldn't pull that one.

And somebody came out to our house and saw my father, who was in Fort Ord, and told them so they wouldn't find out over the radio.

Ah.

So he's gone.

Big shocker, big shock.

NARRATOR: Eerily, John's father received a letter from Glenn that foreshadowed his sad fate.

He wrote my father a letter that said-- one of his last, said-- I'm going to Paris to make billeting for the band, barring a nosedive into the Channel.

Oh.

Are you kidding?

Wow.

No, true.

NARRATOR: Despite their tragic loss, Miller's band continued to perform and raise the spirits of the Allied nations until the end of the war in Europe.

Miller's legacy in popularizing swing music throughout the Western world was enormous.

He had 70 top 10 US hits in only four years.

Many big bands still perform Glenn's music, today.

He had one of the finest big bands of all time.

He set the mark for everyone that followed.

He could have stayed home and made a lot of money.

But no, he wanted to be over here, helping people and morale.

He'll be missed.

Very much so.

NARRATOR: Right now, Dennis and Catherine are driving towards the Buckinghamshire village of Olney, all too aware this game is entering its crucial stage.

This is where the concentration comes in.

Right.

You know, like when you're playing snooker, you got to keep fully focused.

Don't let anybody put you off.

And we just got to take the final black and-- Oh, I like it.

Listen, final black, I'm all for a final black.

And then, we've won.

And then, we've won.

And if we do, you can raise that imaginary cue above your head and wag your finger.

NARRATOR: Crikey, we're in for a nail biting finish.

They seem very confident, so let's hope they don't slip at the final hurdle-- their last shop, The Antiques Center at Olney.

Oh, mind the step.

Crikey.

NARRATOR: Careful, now.

I wouldn't pay that amount for it.

I was just about to pour you a little glass of champagne.

No, well save that for the uh-- When we're-- --the afterwards, to celebrate.

When you lift-- when you lift the trophy.

When we lift our trophy at the end.

Right.

Toby Jones, I'm not really-- but every time I see a Toby Jones-- I don't-- --it reminds me of my-- my grandmother.

You know, we used to spend a lot of time in her house.

And she had lots?

And they always had Toby Jones.

Yeah, they used to be so fashionable.

But now, they're not.

NARRATOR: But something else has caught Dennis's eye.

O-ho, the old golf club.

Ah, this is quite a-- quite an old club, this.

And I'm just looking at it, the home of golf, St. Andrews.

And this is made by Anderson and Blyth from St. Andrews, and they reckon between 1890 and 1920.

Is that a good name, Anderson and Blyth?

I really-- I really don't-- Well, any-- the home of golf, any-- anybody that made this club in St. Andrews.

This, St. Andrew's.

NARRATOR: It's a hickory golf club, indeed manufactured in St. Andrews and ticketed at 22 pounds.

Come on.

Show me it in action.

You go there, and then you can wreck the place with one.

Yeah, no, try not to do that.

We haven't got enough money.

Then, you swing back like that.

NARRATOR: You don't.

But the golf club is cheaper than the inkwell Dennis picked up earlier.

So we've gone from one extreme to the other.

I know, yeah.

That's good.

You prefer cheap, don't you?

You're a cheap date.

NARRATOR: They'll ask dealer Audrey what can be done on the 22 pounds ticket price.

But first-- Now, now, remember where you put this.

Oh, no, no, no, it's like that.

No, no, no, no, yeah, you-- - What's wrong with that?

- That's it.

I like that.

Now, you go.

Perfect.

Now, if you open that finger slightly, you've got the perfect bridge hand.

- Have I?

- A natural.

Bridge hand?

That's called the bridge hand, yeah.

Oh, is it?

NARRATOR: We're getting our sports confused, rather.

Time to see if Dennis can sweet talk another dealer.

22 pounds is a little bit much for that object, because-- It's state.

What can you do that follows, Audrey?

I'll have a word from the manager and see what we can do.

- All right.

- Thank you very much, Audrey.

Thank you.

And he will take 15.

He'll take 15 for it?

Yeah.

He can't go to 10.

- Should we go for that, then?

- Yeah, why not?

Let's go for it.

- Why not?

Why not?

Audrey, thank you very much, indeed.

- Thank you.

- Thank you.

Thank you very much indeed, Audrey.

- Thank you.

- Thank you.

You're welcome.

Fantastic.

Well done.

- Hole in-- hole in one.

- Oh.

- Hole in one.

- Let's hope.

Let's hope.

- Let's hope, right.

NARRATOR: But what of their rivals, Willie and Christina?

[BOUNCY MUSIC] Why, they're now in this very same shop, as well.

And look what he's found.

I'm just trying to work out who that snooker player would be.

It's certainly not me with that hairstyle, is it?

20 pounds, a snooker player.

I think I might buy that for Christina as a memory-- memory of the day.

NARRATOR: Or for someone else?

To remind you of your loss, today.

Cheeky.

That's quite handsome by the look of it, like.

NARRATOR: Uh, no, but great minds do think alike.

Ooh.

NARRATOR: Careful with that, Willie.

That's a good old one.

NARRATOR: Though it's perhaps no surprise that golf clubs caught both our celebrity's eyes.

Dennis and I play lots of golf together.

- Really?

- Loads of golf, yeah.

Oh, wow.

Charity events and all that, and uh-- Who wins?

Oh, Dennis is a better golfer than me, unfortunately.

NARRATOR: But who will be better at this old game remains to be seen.

Has Willie spotted a winner, then?

Well actually, I've seen this lovely-- I think it's a tie press.

And it's also a tie holder.

And because I wear lots of ties and things, that definitely appeals to me.

I don't know whether Christina will think it's an antique or not, so I'll give her a shout, Christina?

I've spotted this lovely tie-- I don't know whether it's a tie press or a tie holder or both.

NARRATOR: It's both, probably dating from the 1940s and ticketed at 48 pounds.

Oh yeah, that's fab.

I love that.

I've never seen one before, have you?

No.

Let's have a little look.

Have a little look, yeah?

Oh, it is the whole box.

Wow.

So you'd press your tie-- Oh, I see.

--in there so that it was ready for your snooker match.

And then, you'd keep your tie selection in there.

And they'd be all rolled up.

This is-- this is from a gentleman's outfitters.

Because you're a bit of a snazzy dresser.

My son, actually, is a gentleman's outfitter.

He works at Dege and Skinner on Savile Row.

Ooh.

And uh, I'm sure he's never seen one of these, either.

OK, good spot.

NARRATOR: They're taking a note of that and browsing on.

And soon, Christina's seen something, too.

Silver-faced glass frames are always, always popular at auction, because you can still use them today.

And that one is particularly nice.

And it looks like it's solid silver, as well.

NARRATOR: Willie will be summoned.

You might have a look at this.

What have you found?

Look.

What have you found?

Just looking in this cabinet here-- ooh.

And what do you think about that?

Oh, a lovely picture frame.

I do enjoy-- Isn't that gorgeous?

Look at that.

What a lovely wedding.

NARRATOR: 85 pounds is on the ticket.

So what age would this be, do you think?

I think it's from 1930s, 1940s.

So they're keen on the frame and tie box, a combined ticket price of 133 pounds.

Time to chat to dealer, Sheila.

How did you get on, Sheila?

Right, well the very best is 38 on the tie press box.

Right.

And what of the-- And it's 72.

72 and 38.

110.

I mean, if we could say 100 pounds, what do you think for the two?

I'm happy to do that if you are.

Cash, cold hard cash.

OK, we'll say yes.

Oh, bless you.

OK. Well done, Sheila.

- OK. - Thank you, very much.

- I tell you what, we did well.

We've now got all our items.

We have.

Off we jolly well.

Indeed.

NARRATOR: Shopping's done.

It's time to reveal their purchases to each other.

What do you think, Catherine?

Look at the smile on his face, like a Cheshire cat as usual, as usual.

That doesn't mean anything.

We're not worried about that.

- Come on.

Let's have a little look, then.

- All right.

- Shall we first?

- Yeah, reveal all, guy.

[INAUDIBLE].

Oh, a golf club.

Willie will like that, huh?

Oh, a bike.

What about this?

- What is that?

- A monocycle.

- Now, then.

- A unicycle?

- Have you, Dennis-- - It's a unicycle?

- Unicycle, that's what it is.

- What?

A unicycle.

Dennis, just show me how it works, would you?

No, I'm not going to touch it.

Not at all.

Oh, what's that thing at the end?

- Oh.

- A sink?

- It's a Belfast-- - Yes.

--not any ordinary thing.

Not any old sink, it's a Northern Ireland sink, yeah?

- It's a Belfast sink.

- Ah, come on, Willie.

Ah, cool.

Let things sink in, now.

Come on.

NARRATOR: Hey, I do the jokes, thank you.

Christina, I think Christina will like these.

Yeah, I love those, little-- little [INAUDIBLE] shoes.

I think so.

And I also think-- and I think Willie will like this, too.

What is that?

- Is it a jewelry box?

- That?

No, that is-- Oh, it's an inkwell.

He likes snooker, the dealer.

And I had a word with him.

Yeah.

And I suppose he liked golf as well, did he?

No, no, no, that was a different shop.

I know you would ask about that, Willie.

This was made in St. Andrews.

- And how much was that?

- OK. That?

We got that for 15 pounds.

Oh, you'll get a profit on that.

- Right?

- Yeah.

Well, that's impressive.

I mean, that's the fruits of your labors for the last two days.

You don't mean that, do you?

I am slightly flabbergasted-- There's no sincerity there, is there?

--I have to say.

Now, now.

Time for Willie and Christina's haul.

Are you ready?

Are you ready?

Let's have a little look.

Oh, look at the way they're revealing-- - Oh.

- --very dainty.

Oh, now then.

Oh.

- Oh.

- Look at those little monkeys.

Let's see-- one, two, three, four, five, five pieces.

OK. Mm-hmm.

Come on, then.

Talk us through.

Well listen, Dennis will love this-- Really?

--even though you don't know what it is.

I-- I have no idea what it is, not a clue.

This is a storage box with a tie press on top.

So a gentleman's outfitters piece, because you always look so dapper.

NARRATOR: He does.

And the Danish brooch?

Then, had a little Scandinavian piece of silver jewelry there-- We're sure the wife would love-- Yeah.

--which we only paid 10 pounds for.

- 10 pounds for.

- Yeah.

That's very cheap.

And then, le piece de resistance-- Is a silver frame-- - --is the silver frame-- - Hallmark, Hallmark.

--which is a-- Hallmark.

I actually-- I think you bought some lovely things, actually.

NARRATOR: And as for the Clarice Cliff design, it's provenance is still unresolved.

But Christina has some research calls to do, and should know more before the auction.

So everyone here is very cordial.

- Best of luck, Willie.

- Thumb lines-- Good luck, Denny.

--in all, it was a pleasure battling with you, my friend.

Good luck, good luck, good luck.

- Catherine.

- Woo.

- Good luck, Willie.

- Best of luck.

Best of luck.

- I'll see you at the auction.

- We'll see you.

- We'll look forward to it.

- Best of luck.

- Ah.

NARRATOR: But what do they have to say when the other team's backs are turned, hey?

Now I've seen his items, I'm absolutely delighted.

And I take back everything I've said about you.

I think you're all right.

I think it's going to be quite close.

Well, he's so competitive, isn't he?

He just wants that edge.

Well, we shall see.

Oh, we shall see.

But listen, it's not over-- No.

--until it's over.

See you at the auction.

Oh.

Bless.

Come on.

NARRATOR: I say, on this road trip, they've journeyed from Sawbridgeworth in the heart of Hertfordshire to Leicester in the East Midlands.

There, they're heading for auction.

Leicester hit the headlines when the remains of King Richard III were found buried in a car park.

So let's hope our teams have made some similarly surprising finds.

Well, Den, it's auction day.

How are you feeling?

Are you going to beat me?

Ah, you know Willie, you can't be overconfident.

It's like our game.

If you're overconfident in your head-- - You get beat.

- --you get beat.

I'm really looking forward to this, because it's going to be quite exciting sitting there as each item comes up.

NARRATOR: The chaps are just arriving at the sale room, Gildings Auctioneers, where the girls are ready to greet them.

Oh, their big yellow banana machine arrives.

Look at this.

Arriving in style.

[VOCALIZES] Very good.

Oh, they know [INAUDIBLE] - They do.

- OK. - These are the best places-- Oh, I like it.

--at parking outside of [INAUDIBLE].. Now, can we get out?

That's the question.

Can you get out there?

- That's the thing.

Can you get out?

- Look at that.

No problem.

We're really looking forward to this, very excited about it.

- Raring to go?

- Yeah.

- Brilliant.

- Are you ready?

- Shall we go in?

- Let's go.

Show me the way.

- Yeah, let's go.

- All right.

- How are you?

- Lead the way.

- Come on, girls.

NARRATOR: But before we begin, Christine has been doing some digging, and it's bad news about the so-called Clarice Cliff design.

You know our Clarice Cliff drawing?

I got very excited about it.

And I spoke to a very good friend of mine, who owns the Clarice Cliff Collector's Club.

And I said-- I said, Will, I've got-- I've bought this Clarice Cliff drawing.

It's really exciting.

He said darling, I am ever so sorry to tell you, but it's a fake.

They are very rare, but somebody is reproducing them.

So very, very sadly, we are not going to be able to sell it because technically, it's a fake.

NARRATOR: Christina's Clarice Cliff contact is a leading authority on the subject.

He thinks this is a forgery, as it's not a Clarice Cliff design and because it bears similarities to known forgeries currently circulating in the market.

The shop they bought it from traded it in good faith, but the only way to deal with fake items like this is to remove them from the market.

So it will be destroyed.

So what happens then about is-- Well, they very kindly refunded our money.

OK.

It just shows the importance of concrete provenance-- Yeah, absolutely.

--and that every day in this [INAUDIBLE] we learn.

But we've got 100 pounds-- Yeah.

--still in the slush, and we're going forward with our four further items.

OK. NARRATOR: With that bit of drama out of the way, Auctioneer Mark Gilding will be taking the sale.

[AUCTIONEER HAMMER] But before we're off, what does he think of our team's lot?

Yeah, nice tie-- tie pressing box, this one.

It's in pretty good condition.

All the action works, and good name of Austin Reed, the retailer, is inside.

The [INAUDIBLE] winds, I think these are probably the best lot that's been brought in today.

I think they're nice Victorian things, good interesting Victoriana collectibles, and should do-- should do well.

NARRATOR: Intriguing.

So Willie and Christina started this trip with 400 pounds.

After one lot was refunded, they spent 130 pounds exactly, and now have four lots in today's sale.

While Dennis and Catherine also started with 400 pounds, they spent 187 pounds exactly and have five lots up for grabs.

The auction is about to begin.

[AUCTIONEER HAMMER] Best of luck, Catherine.

Thank you.

I think we might need it.

30 pounds for the two.

32 is up.

NARRATOR: First up, it's Dennis and Catherine's little bobbin boots.

The auctioneer liked them.

Will the crowd?

And lots of interest in these pre-sale.

Bidding opens at 20 pounds only, on bid at 20.

Lots of interest at 20 pounds.

20, 32 on bid now, 32.

At 32 is the bidding online, at 32.

42, 48.

48.

All internet activity's at a 48.

Internet's going on with it.

50 now online, at 50 pounds, and bid at 50.

You're all-- 60.

- Oh.

- 5.

- 5.

- Going up.

- 70.

- No.

- It's climbing.

75, 80, 80 pounds.

I'm bid now at 80.

Calling out to the room, it's 80 pounds.

5 do I see?

It's 80 pounds.

That it is, now.

Oh and now come on, a bit more.

That was it.

Sorry, all done at 80 pounds.

- Oh.

- Well done, guys.

Good riddance from the Midlands.

That's OK. Yeah.

A tidy little profit sees them off to a good start.

Next, it's Willie and Christina's first lot, the Danish brooch.

Best of luck.

Best of luck.

570, 5.

Why do you say that with gritted teeth?

80.

Because I meant best of luck.

85 through now, 85.

85.

50 pounds, do I see?

18 pounds bidding with me, then at 18.

Oh, really?

Oh, profit, profit.

[INAUDIBLE] At 18, 20 on the internet.

At 20 pounds, I'm bid at 20.

We're here to sell it.

It's on the internet and away at 20 pounds.

[AUCTIONEER HAMMER] - All right.

- 10 pounds.

- It's a profit.

- What was your first profit?

7-- 70.

70.

7, huh?

So we're drawing at the minute?

We're about Even Stephens.

NARRATOR: A nice little earner, there.

Now, Dennis and Catherine's hickory golf club, reflecting Dennis's love of golf.

I think this will go online, because just looking around, I can't see any swingers in the room.

So online with the golf club, I think.

15 pounds on the item, 15 here, 15.

And bidding opens at 10 pounds, tenner I'm bid there, a 10.

We bid 10 pounds.

It's at 9, at 10 pounds, I'm bid here at 10.

12 pounds online, at 12.

Unfortunately, my bids are out, so over by the internet at 12 pounds, at 12, looking for you all in the room.

12 pounds is the bid.

We're on the internet and selling now at 12 pounds.

[AUCTIONEER HAMMER] Dennis said it, Dennis.

Are you all right?

I would have paid the 13 for it.

NARRATOR: An unlucky loss, but not an awfully big one.

[BOUNCY MUSIC] Next, Willie's little stick pin.

Best of luck.

I hope you get 15 for it.

OK, nice kit.

I'm only joking.

And bidding here at 10 pounds only on bid, the coral set pin at 10.

- Gotta be more than this.

10 pounds, I'm in 12 pounds.

15 pounds.

- Come on.

- Come on.

15 pounds I'm bid.

You're out at 15.

The bid's with me at 15.

Internet, are you bidding?

- We should wait.

- No one in the house, as well?

15 is the bid.

18 pounds, I'm bid.

Last minute bidding online at 18.

Fair warning, we have to sell, 18 pounds.

[AUCTIONEER HAMMER] Oh.

Dennis is drawing away.

NARRATOR: He might be, Willie.

But there's everything still to play for.

Up now, it's Willie and Christina's Belfast sink, bought in honor of Dennis's Northern Irish roots.

Can you pick it up?

Yeah, could we say it, please?

Could we see it?

[INAUDIBLE] So I think we all know what they look like.

The Belfast sink, but good order this one, I think.

20 pounds is the bid.

At 22?

25, 28 in the middle now, 28.

I'm out at 28.

And 28, fair warning then, I will sell.

[AUCTIONEER HAMMER] Still owed you money.

NARRATOR: And one bidder has picked up the lot, even if the porter sensibly declined to.

Are you pleased with that?

Yes, we doubled our money again.

- [INAUDIBLE] - We still haven't lost any.

We're in trouble.

We're in trouble.

NARRATOR: One for Willie and Christina now, the tie press and box.

But you're a dickie bow man, aren't you?

I'm a dickie bow man, but I do like a tie.

I do wear lots of ties.

You used to.

I'm a bit of a tie-coon, to be fair.

10 pounds opening bid then, at 10.

Come on.

Tenner I'm bid, at 10 pounds, only here at 10.

12 pounds, I'm bid at 12.

15 pounds, 18 pounds, 20-- the man without a tie, as well.

At 20 pounds, I'm bid then at 20.

On my left, is that it ladies and gentlemen?

We're selling away now at 20 pounds.

[AUCTIONEER HAMMER] Too late.

There's somebody on the phone-- - There's my lot.

--that was just going to give 200 for it.

- You missed it.

- There's my lot.

OK. - Aw.

It didn't-- it didn't accept the charges.

I'll make-- I'll make a telephone bid.

Oh.

NARRATOR: Oh, unlucky it didn't quite find its market, on the phone or elsewhere.

You've made a payment-- I've just gone 4-1 behind, then.

I've gone 4-1 behind.

No, we're all right.

We're all right.

- Are we?

- Keep the faith.

Keep faith.

NARRATOR: Chin up, Willie.

It's not over till the last gavel comes down.

It's Dennis and Catherine's '70s unicycle, now.

The first time for me on a unicycle, and I do have some bids here actually on my book.

Yay.

5 pounds, 8 pounds, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20 pounds I'm bid.

No.

20 pounds bid for the unicycle, at 20, 22.

To the room at 22, internet lots of bidding now.

Take 25, 22 bids over there at 22.

At 22, 25, 28, 28, I'm bid now at 28.

It's not an antique.

Your turn, online.

Your bidding's in the room at 28.

It's a collectable.

Fair warning then at 28, a very brave bidder at 28.

[AUCTIONEER HAMMER] [LAUGHTER] 729.

28 pounds-- And he's in the room.

--I can't believe it.

NARRATOR: With that bit of clowning around, a resounding success.

Willie and Christina need their silver frame to do well.

Bidding with me starts at 15 18, 20-- [GASPS] --22, 25, 28, 30 pounds I'm bid now, 30.

We're in trouble.

32, 35.

Oh my, that's no good.

38, 40, 45, 50, 55 seated.

Oh, one more.

One more.

One more.

- You're out of this.

[INAUDIBLE] at 55.

At 55, I can't see you now.

You've walked away.

It's 55 right at the back.

Oh, no.

Oh, keep going.

Fair warning then, seated at the back at 55 pounds.

[AUCTIONEER HAMMER] Ugh.

I'm devastated.

Aw.

NARRATOR: It climbs, but not far enough.

They might be snookered.

I'm devastated.

I think-- I think our end player would have to go for about 15 quid for you to win this.

Is that what it is?

Oh, don't rub it in.

NARRATOR: Dennis and Catherine's Japanese inkwell next-- a gamble buy, it cost a lot.

But will it win them the game?

When you get down to the colors, it will go for every-- go for everything.

Ooh.

Nice little Japanese inkwell, this one.

And bids on my book, 15 pounds only.

I'm bid at 15.

I mean look, that's what-- 15, well at 15 pounds.

50 pounds, thank you internet.

At 50 pounds, that's more like it, isn't it?

- What did he say, 50?

- 50.

50 on the internet, you see.

Well, all my bids are lost in-- looks like you're out in the room as well, at the minute.

We have 50 pounds on the internet.

One bid only at 50 pounds.

[AUCTIONEER HAMMER] Oh, we lost on the last one.

That's going to make things pretty close.

Yeah, you got four profits in there.

50 pounds.

He went from 15 pounds-- ALL: To 50.

--to 50 pounds.

NARRATOR: That final lot means it might just be a black ball finish, after all.

Well, then-- It's close.

It's going to be close.

Should we go outside and have a-- Yeah, let's go and have a-- Have a check.

NARRATOR: Both teams started this trip with 400 pounds.

After paying auction costs, Willie and Christina made a loss of 37 pounds, 34 p, leaving them with 362 pounds and 66 pence.

[AUCTIONEER HAMMER] Dennis and Catherine made a smaller loss of 24 pounds, 64 p, and so end up with 375 pounds and 36 pence, and this road trip's laurel.

You pipped us at the post-- Oh, you're kidding.

By how-- --by 12 pounds.

12?

No.

- Well played.

- Well done.

Game well played.

Well done, well done, well done.

- It was-- - Well done.

--it was very close.

I think it was the unicycle that did it for us, Catherine.

I think-- absolutely, it was.

NARRATOR: Well, what they lack in cash, they seem to have made up in affection.

Right, we will see you off in bananarama, guys.

Oh, yeah.

It's been an absolute pleasure.

- We'll go in bananarama.

- Thank you, so much.

In you go.

NARRATOR: More kisses, golly.

I'll never forget you since I've met you.

NARRATOR: Thank you, chaps.

It's been a ball-- a snooker ball.

I've thoroughly enjoyed it.

And uh, hopefully you have too.

Well, it was great fun.

What an experience.

I've enjoyed every single second of it.

It's been great.

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