'Antiques Roadshow' - UK Quiz | Television

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The 'Antiques Roadshow' began life as a documentary on antiques and auction houses but spiraled into a great production showcasing the fabulous and not-so-fabulous items of the general public. Which year, the same in which Margaret Thatcher became British prime minister, did the show first broadcast?

Answer: 1979

A little less than a year after the so called "Winter of Discontent" where troubles on both the macro and microeconomic fronts were common, a TV show came on air displaying treasures from members of the general public. Some items worth a little and some worth huge amounts of money.

There is certainly an element, even now, of excitement to see someone who has no idea that an item is worth a lot of money being told they have in their possession a very important piece of history.

2. In the first year of broadcast of the British version of 'Antiques Roadshow' there were two presenters, Bruce Parker and Angela Rippon. A few years later however there was a new presenter who stayed in that position until the year 2000! What was this person's name?

Answer: Hugh Scully

Hugh Scully presented the 'Antiques Roadshow' for nearly two decades. During his years at the helm (1981-2000) he saw many great items that were from his favourite time periods in history. As a man who was interested in the history of wine, he had the opportunity to sample of what was, until then, an unopened bottle of wine that was over 250 years old.

His face gave away his thoughts on the taste of the wine - it would appear it wasn't all that nice!

3. One of the much loved evaluators on the UK version of the 'Antiques Roadshow' was Henry Sandon. What was Sandon's area of expertise that covered such antiques as those produced by Royal Worcester?

Answer: Ceramics

Royal Worcester, which is most associated with porcelain, became part of Henry Sandon's life upon his elevation to the post of curator of the Worcester Porcelain Museum. This friendly, charismatic and erudite character displays a great breadth and depth of knowledge when discussing a ceramic object but doesn't always get everything his own way.

The other ceramics expert on the 'Antiques Roadshow' is his son, John Sandon, and they always compete (albeit in a friendly manner) for the best antiques that come through the door!

4. Tim Wonnacott was for many years a frequent valuer of antiques in the fine and decorative arts field on the British version of 'Antiques Roadshow'. Which other TV programme however, was he famous for presenting?

Answer: Bargain Hunt

Tim Wonnacott succeeded the long time 'Bargain Hunt' host and fake tan extraordinaire, David Dickinson. Dickinson was known for, apart from his tan, the phrase "cheap as chips" which he often said when there was a great item on sale for a relatively small amount.

Wonnacott, the son of an auctioneer, always wished to go into the antiques trade and worked for the prestigious Sotheby's, an auction house that was established in 1744!

5. David Battie was a well known expert on the 'Antiques Roadshow' who showed a great enthusiasm for the objects brought to him and their history. From which area of the world did the antiques that Battie was most interested in come?

Answer: Far East

David Battie was especially interested in ceramic objects from China and Japan. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts which was recognised by the abbreviation (FRSA) after his name. Other former members of this organisation included Benjamin Franklin and the English author Charles Dickens.

6. In the year 2000, Michael Aspel took over the role of presenting the successful 'Antiques Roadshow', but this wasn't his first experience of being the main presenter on a TV programme. Which of the following had Aspel previously fronted?

Answer: This Is Your Life

'This Is Your Life' was famous for the big red book which contained the storyline of a famous person's life. Michael Aspel was himself the subject of an episode of 'This Is Your Life' back in 1980. Such was the extent of Aspel's work on British television, he was given the honour of the OBE (Order of the British Empire).

Michael Aspel would present the 'Antiques Roadshow' for eight years before giving up the role in 2008.

7. The 'Antiques Roadshow' is not without its fair share of controversy and the prime example of this came from the comments of the painting specialist and art critic Rupert Maas. What part of the anatomy did Maas say that women from Shropshire had fat examples of?

Answer: Ankles

This comment was broadcast and complaints were made by the public. There are unfortunately no bonus points for guessing where these complaints came from! He later made up for the controversial statement by giving a talk on art history to members of a local Women's Institute in Shropshire.

Rupert Maas owns his own gallery in the desirable Mayfair area of London called The Maas Gallery. He is particularly interested in paintings from the Pre-Raphaelite period.

8. The 'Antiques Roadshow' started in the United Kingdom but the idea of items of historical importance or of great worth lying dormant in the home of an ordinary member of the public proved tempting to broadcasters outside of the UK. Did the USA produce a version of the 'Antiques Roadshow'?

Answer: Yes

Indeed there was an American version and one of the most valuable items that was ever shown was a marvelous Navajo blanket. This blanket, a very early chief's blanket, appeared in an episode in Tucson, Arizona and the expert was astonished that it was brought in. It was valued at $350,000 to $500,000! This brought a tear to the eye of the owner who had no idea of the significance of this blanket which had until then been adorning the back of his sofa.

Other countries that broadcast their own version of the show included the Netherlands, Canada, Germany and Sweden.

9. The year 2008 saw a brand new presenter of the British version of the 'Antiques Roadshow'. What was the name of this presenter who was well known for their position as anchor for the news channel from the BBC?

Answer: Fiona Bruce

Fiona Bruce, who was born in Singapore in 1964, was a regular presenter of the BBC's flagship news programme the 'BBC News at Ten'. She had however previously ventured from reading the news, presenting programmes such as 'Crimewatch' and the game show 'Call My Bluff'.

10. The 'Antiques Roadshow' has stunned audiences with breathtaking ceramics, portraits and some rather unusual miscellaneous items. However, the first item in the shows history to be valued at �1 million was a miniature of a statue, the larger version of which is found in Gateshead, England. Who created this statue (and its miniatures) that is known as the Angel of the North?

Answer: Antony Gormley

The presence of this maquette on the show certainly divided opinion amongst the viewers and even the antiques experts! Many were left disappointed as the fine arts expert revealed the �1 million valuation and the man looked as if he couldn't really care. Indeed, why would he? It wasn't technically his, it belonged to the local council! Many people had the idea that the object was going to be a "rare find" by some unsuspecting person which would certainly have made the occasion far greater than what it turned out to be.

I hope you enjoyed the quiz!

Source: Author jonnowales

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ladymacb29 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

'Antiques Roadshow' - UK Trivia Quiz

One of the few feel good shows on British television. Do enjoy this quiz on a national TV treasure. Good luck!

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