BBC Antiques Roadshow expert tells guest to 'go home' as he abruptly halts show

An Antiques Roadshow guest received a delightful surprise when expert Jon Baddeley urged them to 'go home', not due to an expulsion from the BBC show, but to encourage checking what other items might lurk at home — items that could potentially fetch a tidy sum. On the episode presented by Fiona Bruce, Mr Baddeley encountered a guest with a collection of 1960s rock 'n' roll posters.

He asked of the posters: "So you've kindly brought us today a collection of psychedelic rock 'n' roll posters. What I notice immediately is they're all signed by the same artist, how so?" The man astonished Mr Baddeley, saying: "Because I am that artist. I grew up just north of San Francisco and I was about 19 when I went to work for the Fillmore Auditorium, and some of these posters were for them."

Curious about the times, Mr Baddeley asked about the atmosphere in San Francisco during the early days of the hippy movement: "What was it like out there? I mean, it must've been really exciting. That was the centre for 'Hippydom', flower power..." The artist reminisced: "Yes, it was," adding candidly: "I can remember and I'm afraid I indulged a bit too much."

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Upon noting two similar yet distinct posters, Mr Baddeley asked: "Why is that?" To which the guest detailed that he created those particular artworks for a Blues show, featuring musicians and a vibrant street dance scene.

"But Bill Graham, who ran the Fillmore Auditorium, had had lots of trouble with the police, and he thought that would be provocative," he explained, gesturing towards an illustration of a policeman on the poster. "So he and the printer changed the poster. But as far as I know, this is the only copy of the original," reports the Irish Mirror.

"And then that went to production and around town?" asked expert Jon. The guest confirmed: "And it is still on T-shirts to this day."

In terms of value, Jon said: "When you talk about value... individually these all are in incredibly good condition, they belong to the artist and they're very rare."

The owner was visibly taken aback as Jon divulged his valuation estimate for should the owner decide to sell them. He disclosed: "So they're going to be worth £200, £300, £400, £500 - maybe even up to £1,000. But the great value is the one at the end because that is one of one - it's the only one known in the world - so that could be worth £2,000 or £3,000."

Jon further encouraged the artist to check his home for additional hidden gems, adding earnestly: "But more interestingly, you also own the original artwork so please, please, please go home and see if you can find them because they could be worth many thousands each!"

A Belfast couple found themselves in shock last week upon discovering the value of an old teddy bear connected to the Titanic. Marc Allum, an expert on the show, said it was "an honour" to handle the exceptionally rare 'mourning bear' crafted by celebrated German toy maker Steiff.

He detailed how 'Edward', the bear, formed part of a special set of black bears launched by Steiff in 1912 following the Titanic disaster. These teddies, with just 600 reaching British shores, were highly sought after and carried a hefty price tag even back then.

Mr Allum noted: "Edward himself was part of what I would call a strict convention of mourning and he would've been treated with reverence and respect for the many people touched by the great tragedy of the event. To be frank, these bears have made more at times. I think he's worth £10,000-£15,000 at auction. It's a significant amount of money. But there's a significant story locked up in this wonderful bear."