THE ANTIQUES Road Show hit the road in Scotland this week, with appearances in Perthshire and today in Edinburgh at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.
Presenter Fiona Bruce smiles as she says she's delighted to be the face of the nation's old stuff once again and, speaking outside the gallery yesterday, said: "I love it. The last time we came here we had 4,500 people turn up. That tells you a lot.
"The attraction for the show hasn't diminished. I think it's because we all like to think we have something of some value tucked away in the attic or on the mantelpiece, a hidden treasure."
The BBC news presenter admitted to knowing "nothing" about antiques when she first worked on the series in 2008, taking over from Michael Aspel.
And while the 49-year-old delights in seeing the faces of those who find they have an unknown treasure light up, Bruce reveals the show does produce its moments of tragedy.
"Just yesterday, someone came along with this extraordinary walking stick, which they'd found in Africa. And just as they were getting out of the taxi they snapped it."
Bruce, to her credit, didn't laugh, but her face almost betrayed a smile the day a woman produced a ceramic vase, convinced it had been handed down through the generations.
"I looked underneath and read the inscription. It said 'Made in Japan'. I told the lady this was perhaps a bit of a giveaway."
She added: "Then one couple came along with a huge painting and were convinced it was worth a fortune. When told it was worthless they walked away and left it. I had to smile at that."
Bruce, who studied Languages at Oxford, reveals the experience on the show had transformed her interest in antiques.
"I've got a house in Oxfordshire and everything in it, except for the sofa and the bed, has been bought from antique showrooms. And I'm brilliantly placed to ask the experts to source what I'm looking for.
"And I collect samples, the little pieces of fabric embroidered by children in the workhouses and orphanages of the 19th century."
The presenter's voice becomes animated as she speaks: "The samples were material CVs, used to show potential employers their sewing skills. I love them."
As well as appreciating the quality of the work, Bruce, a mother of two, admits each sample brings with it sadness.
"You look at what's been achieved, and you can't help but think of some little child slaving over this work, in the hope they could get into service, and perhaps one day monogram a napkin," she added.
Bruce is happy to be a ubiquitous presenter – tomorrow, she'll be back in the news studio.
"I love the change. I love Antiques Roadshow and I genuinely love meeting people. As a journalist I'm professionally nosey of course, and it's great to hear people's personal stories."
l The Antiques Road Show will be held at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art on Belford Road, Edinburgh, between 9.30 and 4pm today.
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