Antiques Roadshow experts refuse to value items after heart-wrenching tribute – but fans are divided
ANTIQUES Roadshow fans are desperate to know more after the resident experts refused to price a precious piece brought in by a nurse.
Sunday night's episode was dedicated to those in the nursing profession, with the BBC show heading to London's St Thomas's and St Bartholomew's hospitals to price up trinkets from those that work there.
However, because of the special nature of the episode, the Antiques Roadshow valuers weren't going to give prices to any of the antiques like they normally do.
Fiona Bruce made the announcement at the beginning of the episode, stating the episode was more "dedicated to the history of nursing" rather than putting value on antiques and pieces of history.
"Given the emotional and often moving testimony you'll hear tonight, our experts won't be providing any valuations," she stated, "But the most humble items will reveal powerful stories."
Paying tribute to anyone who's ever worked in the nursing profession, she said: "Nurses are there as we enter the world until we leave it, they care for us when we're at our most vulnerable and when we're most in need.
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"2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the birth of the NHS and today, there are more than 700,000 nurses registered in the UK."
Comedian Jo Brand, who had previously worked as a psychiatric nurse, was among those sharing their stories, with a special segment dedicated to Jennifer Worth, the author of Call The Midwife.
The move to not valuate any of the items brought to the table confused some viewers, with many criticizing the decision and seeing it not as a mark of celebration, but something which devalues all the hard work nurses do.
"Doing an #antiquesroadshow celebrating nurses but where they don't want to discuss money is peak 2023." wrote one.
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"Might be just me, but I find the decision of the #AntiquesRoadshow to not provide valuations on the nursing special to be an insulting insinuation that nursing & its history is worthless," said a second.
However, others praised the show for its thoughtful handling of such an important special, which highlights the important work nurses do.
"What an incredible insight into the history of nursing on #antiquesroadshow," wrote one. "Once again reminded of the love, care and skill of Nurses."
"Having a bit of an emotional evening. Now watching #antiquesroadshow on nurses and was very moved by the lady talking about being in a 1950s incubator," added one. "I was the same, 6 weeks prem, without the #nhs and its staff I wouldn’t be here."
Antiques Roadshow is available on BBC iPlayer.
