had viewers feeling emotional with their episode to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
The beloved programme filmed in Normandy, and Portsmouth’s D-Day Museum, was given a special format change.
Host Fiona Bruce explained that for one edition of the programme, items wouldn’t be given a valuation as they were ‘priceless’ to guests.
‘We’ll be unfolding the events surrounding D-Day through various items and artefacts you’ve shared with us for this special commemoration,’ she told viewers.
‘Given the very personal and moving nature of the items we’ll be seeing tonight, our experts won’t be giving valuations. To each owner, their item is priceless.’
Explaining the history of the day, she added: ‘From across the channel, the first troops stepped onto these shores on Tuesday June 6, 1944. A day that will be forever known as D-Day.’
On that day, the largest invasion ever assembled took place. 156,000 allied troops landed by sea and air on five beachheads in Normandy. The mission, which was given the codename Operation Neptune, is what would ultimately defeat Nazi Germany and liberate Western Europe, leading to the end of the Second World War (1939-1945).
Throughout the show, people who lived through D-day shared their experiences, including a radio operator, who was listening to the invasion as it happened. ‘The sounds of war, it was in my head, I think I grew up on that day,’ she recalled.
Just like other Antiques Roadshow episodes, contributors brought items in to be looked at by experts, but this time, each had a special connection to D-Day.
One guest showed a photographic map her father used to know where to land while flying a Horsa glider during a mission.
She also read a letter he’d sent to his wife and son on the day he departed, which read: ‘Remember, when you do get this, be as proud as I feel myself being chosen to help launch this drive to free the world of all its terror and hardship. Everything will be ok, my love, as nothing can go wrong.’
‘I feel incredibly proud and I feel very emotional that that’s my dad,’ she stated.
Another guest showed a pull-along toy made from D-Day landing craft wreckage by her grandfather Corporal Richard Ibbett.
The touching scenes were a hit with viewers who praised the ‘moving’ episode.
‘Superb programme, very moving and humbling…..’ wrote Stamford Stu on X.
Dan Gilmore remarked: ‘Christ that D-Day #AntiquesRoadshow episode was outstanding. You’d have a heart of stone not to shed a tear. Braver than brave!’
‘Something in my eye,’ remarked Sue Reeve. ‘These wonderful people always make me well-up,’ echoed Billy.
‘Astonishingly touching and beautifully produced,’ summarised Gary Horrocks.
Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC iPlayer
