HIDDEN GEM
My grandad gave me an old TV script – my jaw hit the floor when I found out why it was worth more than a car
The script had a connection to one of the BBC's most long-running shows.
AN Antiques Roadshow guest was floored to discover that an old TV script given to him by his grandfather was worth a fortune.
The crowd were shocked as expert Chris Yeo revealed the mammoth value of a rare and authentic 1963 Doctor Who script.
4
4
Most people have received special trinkets from their grandparents, but none quite as valuable as the one given to this man who kept the delicate item in his filing cabinet.
In a recent episode of BBC's Antiques Roadshow, a man presented 20th-century design and craft specialist Chris with an original script from the science fiction TV series
The man, who is a dedicated Doctor Who fan, explained to Chris how he got a hold of the "rare" script, which featured actor William Hartnell as the first portrayal of the famous character.
While standing in EastEnders famous Albert square, he said: "It was given to me by my grandfather. I suppose I was about eight.
Read more on Antiques Roadshow
"Grandad worked for a building company, and William Hartnell had just moved out of his cottage in Mayfield, and [the script] was in the detritus that was being thrown out during the refurbishment of the cottage.
"Grandad gave it to me because I was and still am an avid Doctor Who viewer."
The antique expert then noted that the script still had blue pen annotations by William Hartnell himself and believed it was an authentic piece.
The man admitted: "It [the script] has stayed with me as I've moved around the country, and it's always something that I've wanted to know a little bit more about it."
Most read in TV
His wish was fulfilled when Chris unmasked one significant feature of the script.
Chris replied: "One thing you hadn't realised is that this isn't any old Doctor Who story.
"This is a script for the very first Doctor Who story in 1963."
Chris told the guest just how slim the chances of the owner getting his hands on the first script were as he continued: "He [William Hartnell] was in 30 stories.
"He could have left 30 scripts in that house, it just so happens that he left the first story.
"This is the DNA of Doctor Who. It's the genesis of the program, a very, very important thing."
Chris told the man that some show fans would "give their eyeteeth" to get their hands on the unique script and valued it anywhere between £5,000 to £7,000.
The whooping valuation shocked the owner, and the crowd audibly gasped in the background.
The guest laughed: "What!? Oh, my dear! It's not going back and sitting in a file."
Read More on The Sun
Chris effortlessly replied: "You will never see another one like it."
Antiques Roadshow is currently streaming on BBC iPlayer.
4
4
Topics