BBC Celebrity Antiques Road Trip returns to the BathVA

Among the visitors to the BathVA Market on Sunday, June 21 were celebrities Sally Phillips and Nigel Planer. The stars had come to appear in the recording of an edition of the popular BBC TV show, Celebrity Antiques Road Trip.

Arriving at Green Park Station in a suitably stylish vintage MGB Roadster, the actors known for their many comic roles were met by antiques experts David Harper and Margie Cooper. They then divided into two teams in a battle to bag the best bargains to sell for charity at auction.

“We’re on a tight deadline,” said Margie who joined forces with Nigel, “because the auction’s tomorrow so there’s no time for marketing what we buy today.”

“Thankfully, this programme is all about the journey,” added David, who teamed up with Sally, “so, if we lose money, we won’t get beaten up for it. So far, we have bought some really interesting things.”

“I’ve never bought anything from an antiques market before and this has been a great experience for me,” said Sally who got her big break when she appeared as a receptionist in the comedy series I’m Alan Partridge. She went on to co-create the all-female comedy show, Smack the Pony, and has become famous for her comic roles in blockbuster films including Notting Hill and Bridget Jones’s Diary.

Nigel Planer, who enjoyed a long discussion about the origin of books with the BathVA Market’s resident expert, William Goodsir, is probably best known for his depiction of Neil, the depressed and bullied hippy. He has since starred in many film, theatre and television productions as well as written several books, plays and scripts.

Between them, the two actors visited just about every stall and bought several items but we can’t reveal which of them won the contest. You can find out when the programme airs later this year.

The BathVA Market is a high quality, undercover and open-air event held on the first, third and last Sunday of every month at Green Park Station from 8.30am to 4pm.

Article and photography by freelance journalist, Ian White