HOST OVERLOAD
Antiques Roadshow fans rage against Fiona Bruce as they slam big change to BBC show
SEASON 46 of Antiques Roadshow premiered on Sunday night, but viewers quickly let out their frustration with host Fiona Bruce and the show’s new format.
This first episode of this “new look” series took the Antiques Roadshow to Swanage Pier and seafront, but the sunny British seaside did little to appease viewers as they raged against Fiona Bruce’s “increased” presence in the BBC show.
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The episode began with a new intro from Fiona, 59, before diving right into a segment with expert Mark Hill as he examined an “eccentric” gong which the owner picked up for £200. Happily for the owner, Mark estimated that the YZ-made gong could fetch more than double that, marking it in the £500 to £700 range.
As the episode continued, it went on to showcase a host of antique gems, including some Star Wars memorabilia and a rare miniature silver teapot from 1728, which expert Duncan Campbell fell in love with and valued at £12,000.
However, it wasn’t long before Fiona made another appearance.
Fiona has been the host of Antiques Roadshow since 2007 when she replaced Michael Aspel. But, viewers felt she had a significantly bigger role in the show than usual in Sunday’s episode.
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Not only did she provide her usual introductory commentary and voiceovers, but Fiona enjoyed a lengthy chat with expert Raj Bisman, taking a look back at some of the antiques he holds close to his heart. She then shared another segment with Will Farmer, where he challenged her to guess the prices of several pieces of Poole pottery.
Despite there still being plenty of expert evaluations on Antiques Roadshow, viewers were quick to slam the show’s new format, with even raging about Fiona’s increased presence.
Taking to social media, one viewer said: “The new look Antiques Roadshow is even more about Fiona Bruce than before.”
“When are they going to go the whole hog and rename it ‘Fiona Bruce’s Antiques Roadshow?’” a second viewer chided.
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“Watching Antiques Roadshow. Since when did Fiona Bruce feature so much throughout? Let’s see more of the antiques,” a third commented.
“Do we really need a ‘here’s what those antiques are up to now’ section?” asked a fourth.
Many viewers went on to plead for the new changes to be reversed.
“More old school antique experts and far less of Fiona Bruce, please, on the new look,” one said.
“Never dreamt I’d feel old watching Antiques Roadshow, but sadly I do. Far too much chat and Fiona Bruce. Longing for old format,” added another.
Another viewer tweeted the show directly, writing, “A bit of viewer feedback (and I’m not alone, judging by Twitter): too many non-antiques; too much padding; too much frippery; and too much Fiona.”
Some viewers also criticised that the new format has made the show “infantile” and has “dumbed it down” for viewers, but there were several who were pleased with the changes, too.
"I quite like these little format tweaks," one viewer praised.
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Antiques Roadshow airs on Sundays at 8pm on BBC1.
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