ANTIQUES Roadshow’s Fiona Bruce was left open-mouthed after she learned the staggering value of a Star Wars prop.
In a recent episode of the BBC show, a guest brought along an original Star Wars helmet from the first movie in 1977.
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Fiona introduced the guest and the item by saying: ” We’re filming on an estate mentioned in the Doomsday Book in 1086 and here we have one of the most futuristic contraptions imaginable, from the first Star Wars film, is that right?”
Fiona asked who the helmet belonged to in the film and the guest replied: “This is an original prop, Tie Fighter pilot helmet.”
When she asked what that stood for, the guest explained: “Twin Iron Engines, and not many people know that.”
The pair then discussed the impact the first Star Wars film had and then Fiona asked how he came across the helmet.
He said: “I collect original props and costumes and I have things like Batterangs from Batman and stuff from Bond films.
“My true passion is Star Wars and so I spent many, many years travelling all over the world speaking to crew members and cast and going to prop and costume rental houses and things like that.
“Trying to find these things and find out where they end up and this particular piece was buried in the attic with one of the senior crew members on the film who was gifted it at the end of the film.”
The guest admitted it was a “major undertaking” before Fiona asked how much he paid for the helmet.
He was a bit reluctant to give the exact amount but admitted it was “a few thousand pounds.”
Fiona then told him – while somewhat in disbelief herself – “It’s difficult to value but having spoken to our experts, they reckon £40,000-£50,000.”
She then tapped the helmet and remained shocked as it was just a “piece of plastic”.
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Antiques Roadshow airs Sundays on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer.