Antiques Roadshow guest fights back tears as she learns truth about dad’s ‘private’ pictures of Arnold Schwarzenegger
The guest said while wiping her tears: ‘I’m very proud of my father for what he did and it’s good to share it with you. Something for Leeds.’
AN ANTIQUES Roadshow guest was left fighting back tears as she found out the truth about her dad’s ‘private’ pictures of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
BBC viewers were taken to Roundhay Park in Leeds for the latest episode which saw members of the public bring a variety of different items to be valued.
One woman named Stephanie brought with her 300 bodybuilder magazines from the 1940s.
But it was actually another item in her collection that caught expert, Clive Farahar’s attention.
While going through the magazines, Clive couldn’t help but be intrigued by a series of photographs showing a young Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is now 76, and Stephanie’s father.
The guest explained the background of the snaps, sharing that her dad had met the Hollywood actor at the age of 19 in London.
She said: “My dad was born in India and moved to Kenya and then to England. His passion from being young was weight training.
“He was a builder, but he always wanted to open his own gym, which he did in the seventies in Harrogate, the first one. And he first met Arnold at the age of 19 in London.”
Stephanie continued: “Arnold’s inspiration was a Leeds bodybuilder Reg Park, who made a film, Hercules. My dad called Arnold to do some seminars in 1981, to Leeds. He came to our house, Mum cooked.”
The guest surprised Clive with more pictures, one of her posing next to Arnold with her mother and brother, as well as another one that Arnold had autographed for her.
There was another that saw her father tensing his bicep as Arnold stood next to him.
Clive was clearly impressed and said: “That’s absolutely wonderful. Quite incredible. Well, how do I value this?”
He continued: “You wanted me to value 300 bodybuilding magazines from the 1940s but I can’t and I’m not going to go there.
“Instead, we’ve got these lovely personal photographs and you’ve got about four signed photographs of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
He then shocked the guest when he revealed: “What am I going to put on it? Well, I think just this small private section of the collection, I’m going to put £2,000.”
Clive added: “£2,000 for unknown photographs of Arnold Schwarzenegger. As far as I can see, all are absolutely private and early Arnold Schwarzenegger, too.”
The guest was left wiping her tears with joy.
“I’m very proud of my father for what he did and it’s good to share it with you. Something for Leeds,” she said.
Clive concluded: “Thank you for sharing it with us, we love it.”
