AN ANTIQUES Roadshow expert has revealed the reason why he likes to ‘put on a show’ and ‘tease the audience and guests’ when offering valuations on the hit BBC show.
During an exclusive interview, the star relived the moment he came across a whopping valuation of some Clarice Cliff items, which wasn’t aired on screen.
Speaking about the valuation he gave at an auction in London on the Antiques Roadshow, Will explained: “Two years ago in London, I had two of the best pieces of Clarice Cliff ever to appear on television.
“Amazing story and again, I played that lady as I told her it was worth £5,000 when it was worth £10,000 and post-programme, I had three international collectors bid in excess of £20,000,” he told Express.co.uk.
Over the years, the BBC star has valued all manner of weird and wonderful items.
When asked about some of his most memorable moments, the expert shared: “One of my favourites that always sticks in my head – the lady came in with a little red plastic box that she had bought from an antique shop for 18p.
“I turned around to this lady… and I am well known for being a bit of a tease when it comes to delivering the valuation. I am very good at playing the crowd, playing the audience.
“I said, ‘Would it surprise you if I told you it was worth £500?’ and she did a comedy collapse on her feet and she went, ‘Oh my God, you’re joking’.
“And I said, ‘I am joking, I am sorry’ and she went ‘Oh I knew it, you’re awful’, I said ‘It’s not worth £500, it is worth £1,000’ and to her at that time, it was a life-changing sum of money and she went on to sell it.”
Will went on and explained how he strived to educate people on their precious items’ historical backgrounds, to make their experience worthwhile.
He added: “My view has always been for some people this is the one opportunity they’ve waited for.
“They will have waited four or five hours in the queue and will be there five to ten minutes. That’s what they’ve worked for.
“We are all good at it, it’s what me and my colleagues do. You’ve got to make that person feel like that five, or 10 minutes has been worth it.
“And you know what? The majority of things are, obviously, of value… some of them can be no value at all or very, very little value.”
Will continued: “But as long as you tell people what they are, the story and share the story, emphasise and talk about it, you make them go away feeling happy and that they’ve got everything out of that moment. That’s what we’re here to do.”
Most recently there has been sad news for Antiques Roadshow viewers who learned that TV director Nicky Illis, who worked on BBC’s Antiques Roadshow and Fake of Fortune, has died.
The talented producer sadly passed at the age of 53 following a battle with cancer.
Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.