BBC Antiques Roadshow expert opens up on finding item linked to childhood: ‘Privilege to experience’

BBC Antiques Roadshow star Ronnie Archer-Morgan has starred in the BBC favourite for years, having joined as an expert in 2011.

The 73-year-old has come across all kinds of weird and wonderful items to value, so picking a single highlight is a difficult task, but speaking exclusively to GB News recently, he shared a touching story of the time he came across some items from his childhood on the show.

Archer-Morgan has joined an Action For Children campaign to support children in care, a cause close to his heart as he was placed in the charity’s care as a child.

When asked about his favourite valuation, he recalled the incredible moment an event from his childhood came flashing back to him with a pair of famous puppets.

Harry Corbett’s children’s show Sooty and Sweep was popular when Archer-Morgan was young, and he detailed a very special full-circle moment.

Speaking to this publication, he explained: “Sooty and Sweep puppets – it was about six years ago. A lady brought a cardboard box to my table.

“I opened it and there were two Sootie and Sweep puppets. I thought, ‘Oh my God, I know these… I have played with these puppets.’

“These were very old and I knew them – they resonated with me. She told me her father had given them when she was five in 1955. Harry Corbett had come to a national children’s home event and gave me those exact puppets!”

The antiques specialist continued: “And 60-odd years later, I was valuing them – that was very significant, and a privilege to experience.”

As part of their current campaign, Action for Children released a new report called A Place to Call Home, which reveals that 91 per cent of adults with care experience in the UK said that they felt lonely and isolated during their time as a child in care – and nearly one in five felt like this all the time.

With more than 83,000 children in care in England, the charity is calling on the new Government to take steps to create new, high-quality homes and boost recruitment and support for carers.

Thankfully, Archer-Morgan had a positive experience in care. He added: “I was in care shortly after the war – all the carers really cared – it was a calling for them,” he reflected.

“Growing up in care saved my life. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the warmth and love from the home that took me in and nurtured me,” the presenter continued.

“I want that for every child in care – this is why I’m here today, campaigning for change because every child, regardless of the lottery of life, deserves to have a safe and happy childhood.”

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Paul Carberry, chief executive at Action for Children, said: “Every child deserves a safe, loving and supportive home. That security gives them the foundations they need to thrive, both in childhood and later in life.

“For children in care, the majority of whom have been through the very toughest challenges, this high-quality support is essential to help them recover from trauma. That’s what we strive to provide in the homes we run.

“But we know that too often for children in care, that isn’t happening. We still hear regularly from children who have had poor, or even dire, experiences in care.

“There simply aren’t enough of the right types of homes for children in care in the right parts of the country, that can meet the needs of those children.

“We need more, high-quality homes – in both foster and residential care – and a focus on recruiting and keeping brilliant carers that are well trained and properly supported to provide the care that children deserve.”