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FAMILY AFFAIR

Are John and Henry Sandon on Antiques Roadshow related?

HENRY and John Sandon came to prominence as much-revered experts on Antiques Roadshow.

Their shared surname left many viewers thinking that there must be some familial relation between the two — here's the lowdown...

Henry was the father of John Sandon
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Henry was the father of John SandonCredit: Rex

Are John and Henry Sandon on Antiques Roadshow related?

Yes, as you may have guessed, the two are related.

Henry — who sadly died on Christmas Day 2023 — was the father of John Sandon, to whom he passed on his love and extensive knowledge of antiques.

John confirmed that he died peacefully at a care home in Malvern, Worcestershire on Christmas morning.

Henry was 95 years old at the time of hi passing — and his son is 64.

John said: "To the millions who tuned in every Sunday evening to watch The Antiques Roadshow, Henry was like a favourite uncle.

"His enthusiasm for even the humblest piece of chipped china was infectious.

"His joy when he discovered a rare Staffordshire pottery owl jug, nicknamed 'Ozzie', was a magic TV moment few will forget."

Who is Henry Sandon?

Henry Sandon, born on August 10, 1928, was a former Antiques Roadshow presenter and antiques expert.

He attended the Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe.

As a child he was evacuated to Buckinghamshire during the Second World War.

From an early age, Henry was a keen archaeologist with an eye for pottery and porcelain.

From 1966 to 1982, he worked as the curator of the Dyson Perrins Museum at the Royal Worcester Factory.

During his tenure at the Dyson Perrins Museum, Sandon joined Antiques Roadshow in 1979 and soon become a well-respected voice in the antiques industry.

A Hall at the Worcester Royal Porcelain Museum was named after him in honour of his contribution to the organisation.

In 2000, he was voted Antiques Personality of the Year and he was awarded an MBE in 2008 for his services to the ceramics industry.

Who is John Sandon?

John Sandon is one of Henry's three sons — and joined his father as an expert on The Antiques Roadshow.

Taking after his father, John left school aged 16 to work at Bonhams auction house in London in 1975.

13 years, he became the International Director of European Ceramics and Glass at the auction house.

The porcelain expert has authored thirteen books on the topic, including a guides to Collecting Worcester Porcelain, British Porcelain and Meissen, and his Dictionary of Worcester Porcelain.

He has also contributed to numerous antiques publications, including BBC Homes and Antiques, and the popular Millers Antiques Price Guides.

BBC Homes and Antiques, and he has been a senior contributor to the popular Millers Antiques Price Guides.

John is an avid collector himself, and has a passion for Roman antiquities.

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He enjoys painting and decorating porcelain himself.

In 2009, John was diagnosed with heart failure but after being fitted with a pacemaker was able to return to Antiques Roadshow.

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