Latest news with #TheDerbyshireAuctionHouse
Daily Record
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
BBC Bargain Hunt guests left in tears after beloved item sells for more than '100 times its value'
BBC Bargain Hunt star Irita Marriott was left consoling the overwhelmed guest on her Discovery+ Show Bargain Hunt star Irita Marriott left a guest visibly emotional after their item sold for more than "100 times its value". The BBC antiques guru was hosting her Discovery+ series, The Derbyshire Auction House, when she discovered a heartfelt story with guest Helen and her son Ben. While scouring their home for hidden gems, Helen presented a set of family snaps which contained original signed shots from acclaimed photographers that dated back to 1975. They included works from Graham Smith and Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen, whose works are now displayed in the Tate Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum. In a heartbreaking twist, it was unveiled that the photos were being auctioned to help fund the care of Helen's husband, Alan. Alan was suffering from dementia at the time and required full time care. However, he sadly passed away before the episode aired with the money being used towards his funeral, the Mirror reports. The beloved snaps were once hanging in the hallway of their home, thanks to Alan's former role in promoting cinema and photography. The photographs were sold individually, with one estimated at £80 to £120. Their value quickly sparked a fierce bidding war, with the picture ultimately fetching an eye watering £12,000. After discovering the huge sum which the photo had sold for, Helen was moved to tears. Following the auction, Irita reflected on the difficult situation, noting: "It can't be easy for them. These items are things that they've lived with all their lives. "Now that Alan's gone into care, it's probably going to be really sad to see them go." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Helen's son Ben was also left "gobsmacked" by the outcome of the auction. He said: "I was absolutely gobsmacked at the values people were willing to bid for what we thought were just nice pictures... that we saw on the wall every day. Absolutely brilliant."
Edinburgh Live
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
BBC Bargain Hunt star has guest in tears at '100 times value' sale of item
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Bargain Hunt's Irita Marriott brought tears to a guest's eyes when an item fetched over "100 times its value" at auction. The BBC antiques maestro was on her Discovery+ series, The Derbyshire Auction House, encountering a poignant tale with guest Helen and her son Ben. While rifling through their home for treasure, Helen unearthed a collection of family snaps with original autographed photos by esteemed snappers dating back to 1975. Among the stash were pieces from Graham Smith and Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen, now hanging in the prestigious Tate Gallery and Victoria and Albert Museum, as reported by the Express. In a tragic turn, it emerged that the photo sale aimed to support Helen's husband Alan's care costs, who battled dementia and required constant looking after but heartbreakingly passed before the show aired; the proceeds went towards his funeral expenses instead, reports the Mirror. These prized images, once gracing their hallway owing to Alan's past promotions in cinema and photography, ushered in a bidding frenzy when auctioned. Ranging from £80 to £120 initially, one snapshot soared to an astonishing £12,000—leaving Helen overwhelmed with emotion upon hearing the final sum. Post-auction, Irita reflected on the tough situation, acknowledging: "It can't be easy for them. These items are things that they've lived with all their lives. "Now that Alan's gone into care, it's probably going to be really sad to see them go." Helen's son Ben was astounded by the auction results, commenting, "I was absolutely gobsmacked at the values people were willing to bid for what we thought were just nice pictures... that we saw on the wall every day. Absolutely brilliant."
Wales Online
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Bargain Hunt star leaves guest 'gobsmacked' as item sells for 'incredible' price
Bargain Hunt star leaves guest 'gobsmacked' as item sells for 'incredible' price Bargain Hunt expert Irita Marriott had a guest in tears after their item was auctioned off for a staggering price Bargain Hunt: Moment winning team is announced despite losses Bargain Hunt star Irita Marriott left a guest "gobsmacked" as their item sold for an "incredible" price. The BBC antiques expert was presenting her Discovery+ series, The Derbyshire Auction House, when she stumbled upon a heartfelt story with guest Helen and her son Ben. While searching their home for hidden gems, Helen brought forward a set of family photos which held original signed shots from acclaimed photographers that dated back to 1975. They included works from Graham Smith and Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen, whose works are now displayed in the Tate Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum, reports the Express. Bargain Hunt star Irita Marriott had one show guest in tears (Image: BBC ) In a heartbreaking twist, it was revealed that the photographs were being auctioned to fund the care of Helen's husband, Alan. Article continues below Alan was suffering from dementia at the time and needed full-time care, though he sadly died before the episode went to air, with the money being used to pay for his funeral. The cherished pictures once adorned the hallway of their home, thanks to Alan's former role in promoting cinema and photography. The photographs were sold individually, with one estimated at £80 to £120. This quickly sparked a fierce bidding war, with the picture ultimately fetching a staggering £12,000. The mum and son duo were in tears on the Derbyshire Auction House (Image: Discovery+ ) After learning the price that the photograph had sold for, Helen was moved to tears. Following the auction, Irita reflected on the difficult situation, noting: "It can't be easy for them. These items are things that they've lived with all their lives. Article continues below "Now that Alan's gone into care, it's probably going to be really sad to see them go." Helen's son, Ben, also expressed his shock at the auction outcome, remarking, "I was absolutely gobsmacked at the values people were willing to bid for what we thought were just nice pictures... that we saw on the wall every day. Absolutely brilliant." The Derbyshire Auction House is streaming on Discovery+
Daily Mirror
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Bargain Hunt star leaves guest in tears as item sells for '100 times its value'
Bargain Hunt star Irita Marriott was left consoling a guest on her Discovery+ show The Derbyshire Auction House Bargain Hunt star Irita Marriott left a guest in tears as their item sold for more than "100 times its value". The BBC antiques expert was presenting her Discovery+ series, The Derbyshire Auction House, when she stumbled upon a heartfelt story with guest Helen and her son Ben. While searching their home for hidden gems, Helen brought forward a set of family photos which held original signed shots from acclaimed photographers that dated back to 1975. They included works from Graham Smith and Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen, whose works are now displayed in the Tate Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum, reports the Express. In a heartbreaking twist, it was revealed that the photographs were being auctioned to fund the care of Helen's husband, Alan. Alan was suffering from dementia at the time and needed full-time care, though he sadly died before the episode went to air, with the money being used to pay for his funeral. The cherished pictures once adorned the hallway of their home, thanks to Alan's former role in promoting cinema and photography. The photographs were sold individually, with one estimated at £80 to £120. This quickly sparked a fierce bidding war, with the picture ultimately fetching a staggering £12,000. After learning the price that the photograph had sold for, Helen was moved to tears. Following the auction, Irita reflected on the difficult situation, noting: "It can't be easy for them. These items are things that they've lived with all their lives. "Now that Alan's gone into care, it's probably going to be really sad to see them go." Helen's son, Ben, also expressed his shock at the auction outcome, remarking, "I was absolutely gobsmacked at the values people were willing to bid for what we thought were just nice pictures... that we saw on the wall every day. Absolutely brilliant."
Daily Record
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
'I'm an Antiques Road Trip expert and these are the behind the scenes challenges'
The Derbyshire Auction House's Irita Marriott has become a TV favourite in recent years, but the antiques expert has opened up on the unseen challenges she faces in her role Irita Marriott, who first captured the nation's affection on BBC's Bargain Hunt in 2021, has become an endearing presence in the TV antiques sphere. Now, Irita is a well-known feature on both Antiques Road Trip and Antiques Roadshow, and recently debuted her own series, The Derbyshire Auction House, back in 2023. Currently, she's gracing our screens again with the second series of her daytime show on REALLY. However, the mother-of-two has been rather open about the less seen challenges of her profession. While promoting the latest series of Derbyshire Auction House, Irita underlined the importance of emotional intelligence in her line of work. In a candid interview with the Express, she revealed that her role extends to being a "therapist as well as an auctioneer", especially when assisting sellers who find it difficult to let go of sentimental items. She expressed: "You always have to take emotions into account with everything that we do. "We are therapists as well as auctioneers because every single day, people walk through our doors, and there will be people who are vulnerable. Whether that's people who have lost somebody, or that items have a lot of memories and attachments, so you always have to be gentle", reports Bristol Live. Irita acknowledged the intimidation that the auction setting may impose on sellers. She recalled a moment from the upcoming series where she comforted a seller anxious about parting with her late mother's possessions for the programme. Irita reminisced about a poignant moment from the series, saying: "In this series, we had a lady who was selling her mother's items, and she was very cautious. During the clearance, she was very strong and brave with it, and she said, 'No, it all needs to go'. "But then afterwards, it took us quite a few phone calls and a lot of messages and a lot of communication to reassure them that those items won't just be sold for £5 or £10. The items she had are desirable, and they will go to someone who wants them again rather than being stuck in the drawers. "So sometimes it's just talking people through the process and how it all works and what's going to happen, because when you've never sold anything in the auction, it's a scary environment." She also revealed the often hidden tension between auctioneers and sellers over item valuations, which can cause behind-the-scenes disagreements. Irita added: "As auctioneers, we all love a come-and-get-me estimate, and if there is a cheeky way of getting away with the lower estimate, we are going to say that. However, from the seller's point of view, it's about finding that trust with us and making sure that they can really believe in what we say, that there is nothing to be worried about. "That the items will sell and they will do well, but I think for a lot of people that's the scary bit – but that is also what makes good TV and what makes amazing results at auction." The antiques expert elaborated on what distinguishes The Derbyshire Auction House from other antique programmes. Irita highlighted that the show's unique appeal lies in its emphasis on the emotional ties people have with their possessions. "I suppose that's the beauty of our show," she expressed. "It's real people, it's real feeling, and everything is very much how you see it on screen. "And I think that's why people can really look at it, and I think I know exactly how that person feels, because most of us have been through that hardship of losing somebody or needing financial help and having to sell something. I always say to people, just think how lucky you are that when you need to money that you have got something to sell and you're not just selling it and getting rid of it." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
