Has the Antiques Roadshow run out of… antiques? Flagship BBC show faces backlash from fans over Lego and designer clothes – and just one pre-20th century item

It’s beloved for showcasing centuries-old heirlooms and relics dug out from the corner of lofts by Britons hopeful to fetch thousands for their discoveries.

But the BBC‘s latest episode of Antiques Roadshow has been heavily critiqued by ‘heartbroken’ viewers for featuring just one pre-20th century item.

Instead, a portrait of the Queen made out of Lego, Vivienne Westwood clothes and a Rolex were valued – prompting viewers to accuse the Antiques Roadshow of ‘stretching its name’.

One viewer on X, formally known as Twitter, wrote: ‘Bit heartbroken to be honest. A portrait in Lego of Her Late Majesty is the sort of thing that ought to be on Nationwide, not Antiques Roadshow.’

Nationwide was a current affairs TV programme dealing with consumer affairs which ran from 1969 to 1983.  

Another viewer wrote: ‘Ooh another Rolex, how exciting, said nobody’ 

Another viewer wrote: ‘Ooh another Rolex, how exciting, said nobody.’

Antiques expert, Michael Baggott, said: ‘The sad day came at last, not a single antique on the Antiques Roadshow.’

The only item presented that was pre-20th Century was an 18th Century terracotta and wood creche figurine from Naples of a ‘black attendant’ and estimated to fetch £2,500.

Only one other item qualified as antique – a relic more than 100 years old – a Liberty card box from 1901.

Fiona Bruce, 59, the show’s host for 15 years, spent the episode delving into the location history of Sunday’s episode – Crystal Palace.

But the lack of antiques meant her presenting skills also came under scrutiny from viewers.

One person tweeted: ‘This week’s offering is becoming less and less about antiques and increasingly a history or travel programme featuring a woman in pink.’

The only item presented that was pre-20th Century was an 18th Century terracotta and wood creche figurine from Naples of a ‘black attendant’ and estimated to fetch £2,500

Scarves, shirts, jackets, boots and hats from Vivienne Westwood’s Pirate Essemble, launched in 1981, received a generous viewing on the show

Another added: ‘We come here for antiques, not Fiona Bruce playing at being a Blue Peter presenter.’

A Lego portrait of the late Queen, found at the back of the brand’s factory and bought for £50, was met with great admiration on the show and was estimated to fetch £500.

A heirloom Rolex designed in 1925 but estimated to be around 40 years old also enraged viewers.

One wrote: ‘Why do they have a Rolex every week? We get it, they’re valuable!’

Scarves, shirts, jackets, boots and hats from Vivienne Westwood’s Pirate Essemble, launched in 1981, received a generous viewing on the show.

The collection was estimated to be worth between £10,000 and £15,000 but the owner did not put it up for auction because he still wore it and said: ‘It was never dressing up, it was getting dressed.’

But one viewer wrote on X: ‘Vivienne Westwood rages are also not antique.’

MailOnline has contacted the BBC for comment.