[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: The nation's favorite celebrities-- Oh. Try to touch base. NARRATOR: --paired up with an expert-- Boo! [LAUGHS] NARRATOR: --and a classic car. No hands. NARRATOR: Their mission, to scour Britain for antiques. My office, now! NARRATOR: The aim, to make the biggest profit at auction, but it's no easy ride. Who will find a hidden gem? Like that. NARRATOR: Who will take the biggest risk? This could end in disaster. NARRATOR: Will anybody follow expert advice? But I love this. Why would you buy something you're not going to use? NARRATOR: There will be worthy winners and valiant losers. No, I don't want to shake hands. NARRATOR: Put your pedal to the metal. Let me get out of first gear. NARRATOR: This is the "Celebrity Antiques Road Trip." Yeah! [MUSIC PLAYING] Hold on to your hats, today's show features a couple of lucky lads from Liverpool, actors, Ricky Tomlinson and Mickey Starke. RICKY TOMLINSON: We'll probably stumble on a Picasso or something-- - Yeah. - -like that you know. Yeah, but probably-- It will only be an one. Yeah. It will probably be a Picasso pottery jar or something like that. But that'll do that, that'll do. in his clay period. NARRATOR: You never know chaps. The fellows have been bezzy mates for 40 years and became household names in the hit '80s soap, "Brookside." Working-class hero, Ricky, has starred in many roles over the years but is renowned for his portrayal of sofa sloth, Jim Royal, in "The Royle Family." Mickey is a popular and versatile actor. His long career includes appearing in hit soaps such as "Coronation Street." They each have a big bag of reddies, a sum of 400 pounds. If you find an old ear anywhere, it could belong to van Gogh. I believe van Gogh's ear is now worth more than this paintings. So I've heard. NARRATOR: Huh, boom, boom. Today's experts are our gorgeously fabulous Margie Cooper and Catherine Southon. Think they're good mates aren't they, Mickey and Ricky? Yeah, Mickey and Ricky. You make it sound like two budgerigars. Budgerigars. I used to have a budgie called Ricky. You had a budgie called Ricky? I did, yeah. He used to say, who's a little beauty? He spoke, he was brilliant was Ricky. How can you have a-- That was just a by the by. How can you have a budgie and call it Ricky? Yeah, it was called Ricky. Ricky, you didn't have another one called Mickey? No, I didn't. NARRATOR: Budgerigars, ha, ha, ha. Our gal pals have the scrumptious 1976 Triumph Stag. I just remember Jim sort of sitting on that sofa like being all kind of like there, and watching the telly and he goes, all right, Barb, all right, Barb. Go on, Barb. Hiya, Barb. Yeah, you're right. She was called Barbara, wasn't she? Barb, yeah, Barb. Yeah. That's about as far as it goes. Is that it? NARRATOR: Blimey. Is there any hint of rivalry in the 1965 Daimler, friendly or otherwise? This is a competition here now to see who can make the most money. Yeah. Because I'm desperate to win because in real life, you've got far more money than me. Well-- Far more money than me from what I've heard. It goes without saying. Yeah, but mine is all in property and it's buried in the garden. NARRATOR: Ha Ha! Kicking off in Knutsford, our teams will road trip through Cheshire and Merseyside before heading to the West Midlands for an auction in Stourbridge. [MUSIC PLAYING] Looks like the girls are fashionably late. If you don't hurry up, all the bargains will be gone, lad. Aye, it's a good job not waiting to get married. NARRATOR: Too right. No, They'll be here in a minute. Yeah. I'm sure they will. Ah. Oh, oh, I love it. Arriving in style. Hello, you're just in time. Just, just in time, yeah. Good morning. Good morning. NARRATOR: Mickey's coupling up with Margie and Ricky with Catherine. I am. Are you ready for the fray? I certainly am. Oh, it's a race. Right, come along, no time for niceties. Here we go, the race is on. NARRATOR: Blimey they're eager. Right, the clock's ticking you lot. Let's begin with Ricky and Catherine. So this is the start of our journey now, kid. It all begins now, kid. We've got to go out with all guns blazing. We've got to win. It's imperative. Really? It's imperative because otherwise I'll be the talk of Liverpool that I was beaten by Mickey Starke. NARRATOR: Oh, we like a bit of passion, Ricky. Where are the other two? Hang on, what's going on here? Do you have any knowledge of roofs on [INAUDIBLE] car. No, but I'm willing to learn, Margie. NARRATOR: That's the spirit Mickey. Take forward-- - Oh. - Give it a pull. Oh. Oh, wow. We've done it. NARRATOR: Nifty work you two. MICHAEL STARKE: We're away. NARRATOR: Watch out! This lot are sharing their first shop. They're all heading to the town of Knutsford in Cheshire. They hold endurance races for Penny Farthing bicycles here, don't you know. First to get stuck in this morning is a super-determined Ricky. Very posh, very posh. I'm not sure we've got this much money. NARRATOR: Knutsford Antique Center has been trading for over 20 years and looks just the ticket for our rummaging antiquers. Lizzie is in charge today. Right, what do we want, Ricky? What are we looking for? - Bargains. - Bargains. We're looking for bargains. I'm sure that lady, she's got a nice, kind face. Has she? I'm sure she'll be gentle with me. NARRATOR: Here's hoping. That's all been relined though. Oh, isn't that lovely. I love that, 6,500. What you got? 19th century French Ormolu. OK, so this is all Ormolus, gilded bronze basically. And then you've got a painted scene on the front. So it's trying to be like a Sevres style. NARRATOR: 19th century Sevres porcelain was renowned for its rich palette of colors. I don't know. What do you think about the scene on the front? Do you like it? Well, it's romantic and that puts me in the mood. Oh! Do you know what I mean? NARRATOR: Crumbs. But I think it's trying to be an early French 19th century, good, high quality, but it's actually a copy. I don't think it's particularly well done. NARRATOR: Regardless, Ricky really likes the look of it. RICKY TOMLINSON: I just like that. Do you? Yeah, and it's-- What, the colors? I just-- no, I just like everything about it. It's just-- to the untrained eye, obviously, to the untrained eye, isn't it? I think if you look at it from a distance you can see it's exactly what they're doing. I think if it was the right price. I think it's all about price, isn't it? If you could get a few quid knocked off. Yeah. NARRATOR: It's priced at 55 pounds. Time to talk to Lizzie. Now listen, I don't know whether to go down on bended knee here. I'm looking for the best deal I can get for this. I just like it so it doesn't matter to me whether it's worth a million pound or whatever. I just I just like it and what can I have it for? Well we usually say 10%, but I'm a big fan of yours, so we'll go down to 40. I think we'll have that. Do you think? Yes, I'm having that. God, you're well off the-- you're well off the mark. You know, I love it. I don't care if I'm off the mark, I like it. NARRATOR: He doesn't hang about, does he? Wrap that up for me please, kid. I made up with that. 40 pound I've got that for. That is a bit of a bargain. You're good at this. That's great, that's a bargain. I'm in with a chance You can come again. Absolutely. Right, what's next? NARRATOR: Meanwhile, look who's arrived. Well, let's hope they're not here. NARRATOR: Now better late than never. Just take your time you two. Shall we go and see what else we can find? Oh. [LAUGHS] Hello, fancy seeing you. Better late than never. I'm afraid the two bargains on display today have gone. Have they really? They've gone today. Lizzie, have nothing to do with these two, Liz. Have you bought already? Well only a couple of little items. You're not saying. You're not saying. They'll catch-- They'll raise about five grand each but-- Is that all? Oh, aye. NARRATOR: Blimey, let's break up the scrum and stick with Mickey and Margie. Oh, yeah, I like that. Four faces of Buddha. That's right. Is that a good thing? We turned that one down. [LAUGHING] See, I've spotted that there, the little powder flask with the dog on. You know me with dogs, I love dogs. I love that. You love dogs, don't you? You get it out. You know how clumsy I am. If it's got no dents-- [CLATTERING] - Oh, sorry. Oh, crikey. NARRATOR: Ricky careful, that was close. It is nice that, isn't it? Oh, that's really nice. NARRATOR: Powder flasks were an essential accessory to firearms until the 19th century when loaded cartridges became commonplace. I think that's stunning. I think we'll have a little go at that, do you? I think we've got to. What's that? 55 pound. I would buy that at 55, I think it's gorgeous. See if we can get it a bit cheaper. Absolutely, put my best voice on. Yeah, go on. Excuse me, Madam, I'm a visitor to these parts. I'm sure you can knock a couple of quid off there for me, can't you? 55 so I'll do the same, I'll go to 40. Oh, [INAUDIBLE] Yeah, happy with that. Thank you very much. You're welcome. It's lovely, lovely I'm made up with that. Right, we're on a roll. NARRATOR: Crikey, Ricky doesn't hang about. First shop, two antiques bought for a total of 80 pounds. It would be rude to gloat, hey Ricky? Anyway, so that's it. We're all done. How about you? You finished? Well, we're still looking, aren't we? We've got our eye on a couple of things, you know. Still looking? You only have five minutes left. So don't panic us, don't panic us. Are you coming out? No, go on, you need the time. They're up to something, they're up to something, Margie. Let's go and get-- let's-- Yeah, go on. Up it, yeah. They've got nothing. They've got nought. Nothing. No hope. No hope? No life, no nothing. NARRATOR: Charming. Come on, kid, let's have a look upstairs. That's interesting, isn't it? Yeah, it is. Persons throwing stones at the telegraphs will be prosecuted. Oh, I like that. I remember those-- I don't remember those. Oh, I remember them. So for naughty boys. NARRATOR: Let's get a better look, shall we? People do buy these things. Do they really? Or am I making a huge mistake? No. Oh yeah, it's cast, isn't it? Oh yes, cast iron. Yeah. Yeah, somebody's you know, touched it up. Oh, repainted, right OK. It's been painted and touched up, but I mean, come on, it's probably 70 years old. Yeah. Isn't it? How much is that then? 45. 45. Yeah, that's-- What's the best price on that? Um-- 10? You go to 30? It's very fair to knock it down that much. It is actually, isn't it? I just-- I've just got 25 in my head. Oh, yeah, so have I. What do you think, Liz. That'll do. Deal. Thank you so much. Thank you,love, very much. Oh, we're up and running. Right, come on, that's us done. NARRATOR: Well done, Mickey, 25 pounds for the railway sign. 30, 30 pounds. Thank you. Thank you. There's 5. And thanks very much indeed. Thanks, see you again, bye. Bye. OK. This is our Faberge egg. NARRATOR: Not so sure about that. But a great start, Mickey. Can I-- I know we've sort of finished but can I just have a quick-- NARRATOR: But hang on a minute, I thought they'd left. Give you your uh-- NARRATOR: Yeah, don't think she likes that. Now what's this she's spied? CATHERINE SOUTHON: It just caught my eye. I think that lawnmower in particular because it's really brightly painted. Is it not your sort of thing. Yes, great. NARRATOR: Time for a closer inspection. Meccano. Meccano. Although I don't know how rare they are or anything. NARRATOR: Meccano were the biggest British toy manufacturers in the '20s and '30s. This firm also produced Hornby trains and Dinky toys. I just think they're a bit of fun, aren't they? Yeah, let's take them. The little Dinky-- I don't know how rare-- I don't like the wheelbarrow so much but I love the roller. So do I, I love them all. Yeah? They're great, them. What's on these? 37 for the three. I'm sure she'd be very gentle with us. Would you do sort of 20ish? I could go up to 25. I could meet in the middle, go to 25? - Yeah. - Yeah? - Yes. - Happy with that? Absolutely. If it goes wrong, you know who to blame. [LAUGHS] NARRATOR: This extra purchase means they've spent 105 pounds in their first shop. Lizzy, you're very kind. Thank you so much, Liz. RICKY TOMLINSON: Thanks a lot, Liz. Really, really appreciate it. RICKY TOMLINSON: Thank you. Three items. There you go, kid. CATHERINE SOUTHON: We are on a roll. These could make a million pounds at the right time and the right place. I don't think so. I'll settle for half a million, come on-- - I don't think so. - Let's go. Thanks, kid. SALESWOMAN 1: Thank you. Cheers, bye. SALESWOMAN 1: Bye. NARRATOR: Let's leave Ricky and Catherine and catch up with Mickey and Margie in the Stag. So it's driving very nicely, isn't it? Oh, it drives like a dream. A friend of mine had one of these when we were lads and he took me for a spin and I've had a slight love affair with them ever since. - Ah. Yeah. NARRATOR: What Mickey doesn't know is he's pointed the Stag to an area which built its fortune on salt. Mickey and Margie have powered their way to the Cheshire village of Marston to learn a little bit of local history. Salt has always been an essential ingredient for human survival, and its availability has been pivotal to civilization. Our pair are visiting Lion Salt Works built in 1894. It's the only remaining open-pan salt works in the UK and one of only four in the entire world. Museum and arts manager, Catherine West, is going to tell us more. Hello, I'm Michael Starke, nice to meet you. Hello, I'm Margie. I'm Katherine. Shall we take a look and find out about salt in Cheshire? After you. Thank you. NARRATOR: Cheshire is renowned for salt production and the salt beds here are 220 million years old. Rainwater percolates through 150 feet, dissolving the rock salt as it goes, making salty water known as brine. So take us through the process, how is it produced? Well we have the brine running across on top of the salt. And so, actually, they would pump that brine out. And then it would be brought and it would be boiled so in a massive pan, but it would be about the size of a kind of tennis court. And so that would be heated right up so that then it would be boiled. Then that salt would be kind of skimmed off and we put it in big blocks of salt. Then it would be dried, potentially crushed or cut, depending on what kind of salt that we were looking for. How long have they been producing salt here? Believe it or not this method of salt-making actually dates back to Roman times. So here in Cheshire, where we are today, there are large deposits of salt. And the Romans discovered that we have these kind of natural brine pools and that by boiling, we can produce salt. Well the Romans were even paid in salt, weren't they? Oh, you know your stuff, absolutely. NARRATOR: The Romans understood the benefits of salt. As explorers it was essential for preserving foods and therefore their ultimate survival. A Roman soldier's salary would be cut if he was not worth his weight in salt. Certainly in Liverpool salt was one of the founding industries really. And that's why we have the salt dock next to Albert dock to make sure that we could make the most of getting that salt out across the world. So the Trent and Mersey Canal, Weaver Navigation, that was all a big part of making sure we had that transport to get that salt around the world. NARRATOR: Cheshire salt was of high quality and didn't deteriorate in warmer climates. It would be shipped as far as Canada and America, West Africa and India, New Zealand and Australia. The men laboring here worked topless due to the intense heat. They'd lose up to 12 pounds in sweat a day due to the high temperature of the salt pans. It sounds like a lot of hard work. What sort of hours would they work? And what kind of dangers would they face? Well, yes, I mean for the workers in this kind of atmosphere probably 12-hour days. If you can imagine how hot it must have been as well, and actually quite dangerous because the pans were heating up to be very hot, and you were then trying to skim that off. So it was quite a difficult environment to work in at the time. NARRATOR: Lion Salt Works not only produce salt for worldwide export, in its heyday Cheshire was responsible for 86% of all salt supply in the country. However, in 1986 the factory closed unable to compete with cheaper salt production works established elsewhere in the world. Katherine, thank you so much, it's been brilliant. Thank you for visiting us. We'll go and have a look through the museum, yeah. Great. [MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Back to Ricky and Catherine. How did you get to meet Mickey? I was compering a club a million years ago and Mickey came with the band. He was the front man of the band. And he was talking to me and I said are you in Equity? And he went, no, and I said, well I think you should join. And he joined Equity and the next thing is he's acting and he got into "Brookside," and then he was in "Coronation Street." NARRATOR: We're off to the Cheshire town of Frodsham. The Beatles played one of their first gigs in this town, don't you know. CATHERINE SOUTHON: This is us then, shop number two. RICKY TOMLINSON: This is us. CATHERINE SOUTHON: You ready to rock and roll? NARRATOR: Hampton Village and Antiques Emporium is bursting at the seams with stock. Guitar, headphones, what do you think? We're going to meet the man that does the deals. Yeah. He's the best person to meet. Who's the man that does the deals? I think that might be me, Rick. I hope you're in a good mood today. I'm hoping for a bargain here today. Catherine, hi. Hi, Catherine, how're you doing? Nice to see you. Thank you very much for having us here. NARRATOR: They've got 295 pounds to spend. Who is that? Who is he? I don't know. Who is he? RICKY TOMLINSON: I think it's Schnozzol Durante. - Yeah. - Is it? Jimmy Durante. Jimmy Durante. There you go. NARRATOR: Jimmy Durante was one of America's most popular personalities from the 1920s through to the 1970s. What a hooter! (SINGING) But that was long ago. I think it's horrible. It is horrible but it's unique. I mean, it's a collector's item, isn't it, so it's not a bad thin? Well it is, it's a collectible. But who wants those though? A collector, a collector. NARRATOR: Obviously our Catherine hasn't heard of old Schnozzol Durante. Tell us more, Ricky. So who is this Jimmy? Now Jimmy Durante was a big star in Vaudeville in the States and he used to play the piano. And his name was Jimmy Durante but because he had this real big hooter they called him Schnozzol. And it sort of in a way it's a sort of a homage to him because he was that big a star. Well, then we've got to get it. I think we should get it. We should get it, yeah. Go, kid. Even if we lose 47 pounds, we should get it. NARRATOR: Oh, Dave. I don't think I'm the only one that hasn't-- have you heard of this-- whatever his name is, Durante. Jimmy Durante, yes. RICKY TOMLINSON: He was a big star. I've never heard of him. A big star. Well you never went to the pictures when you were a kid, did you? You're too young, you're too young. She's too young. Would you mind if I had-- This was supposed to be about antiques, And she doesn't know anyone over 35. [LAUGHING] NARRATOR: Let's get Jimmy out of his cabinet. So come on then, what can you do? Right well there's 40 pounds on the ticket. That's cheap at that price, Catherine. I don't think so. Go on, the best price I can do is 20 pounds. Sold. Well done, cheers. Cheers kid, sold. What can I say, I mean thank you. Thank you very much. I'd love to say that I'm really happy and I love this but-- NARRATOR: By Jiminy, Ricky's a swift buyer, 20 pounds for the Royal Dalton Jimmy Durante mug. What's the mood in the cars then? The problem Ricky is going to have is he thinks the budget-- he'll think it's his money. We'll have to be very careful. So he'll be shrewd, Oh, he will be shrewd, yeah. And he's competitive. MARGIE COOPER: Is he now? Oh, yes, yes. No, I am bothered about women. Really? - Oh, yes. - Oh, no. I thought you'd be like no, let it all go. Listen to this, I still get emotional watching replays of the 1966 World Cup final. If he wins we won't hear the last of it. Oh, my Lord. Yeah. NARRATOR: Blimey, we've got another day of this tomorrow. Time for a bit of shuteye. Nighty night. [MUSIC PLAYING] Wakey-wakey, rise and shine, the fellows are on the move once more. You must have been quite squashed in that car yesterday. Yeah. It's the first time I've ever seen anyone getting into a car with the help of a shoehorn. Shut up. NARRATOR: He's a cheeky devil. And the gals? Well you should see what we've bought, Margie. Well you see our buddy's just quick. Is he sort of very, very quick off the mark? He's like lightening. Honestly we bought our first item within seconds. Yeah. The second one we probably bought about two minutes later, the third one was just as we're leaving the shop, and then the fourth one, oh, Margie it is horrible. NARRATOR: Tell it like it is then Catherine. Yesterday our spirited gents rolled up their sleeves and had a thoroughly lovely time. Mickey purchased one solitary item, the railway plaque, so still has a huge 375 pounds for the day ahead. Ricky, on the other hand, couldn't stop spending. He has the late 19th century urn, the copper powder flask, the collection of little toys, and his absolute fave, the Royal Dalton Jimmy Durante mug. 20 pound. Sold. Well done, cheers kid. NARRATOR: He has 275 pounds left to splash. Cheers, bye. You know what's happened? Yeah, they're talking. They're in the working man's car, they've got their pies. How many people do they know in and around Liverpool? Well this is the thing, we could be waiting hours. They know everyone, don't they? Oh. NARRATOR: This could be them. They make an entrance, don't they? Here they come. Morning. Good morning. How are we? Ready for a bit of action? Indeed. Lovely to see you both. Oh, we're going to get a double hug. Oh. NARRATOR: Steady on, Margie. Morning, how are you? So good to see you. - Good to see you. How are you, Margie? How are you? I'm all right, darling, very well. And all the best. Yeah, good luck. You'll need it. I can feel the warmth coming from him, can't you? MARGIE COOPER: So you put the world to rights? MICHAEL STARKE: We certainly did. [MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Let's nip in with Ricky and Catherine, shall we? CATHERINE SOUTHON: So how was your first experience in the world of antiques yesterday? Absolutely brilliant. It was an eye-opener, slight disagreement between the experts and the amateur but-- Just a slight-- I'm dying to see it put to the test. It's going to make thousands though, that's what's going to happen. NARRATOR: Whilst over in the fabulous Stag. So we're off to Liverpool and Southport. Right. And I believe the shop is on Tunnel Road. Tunnel Road, I was born about 200 yards from there. Really? Do you have any connections to get cheap merchandise? I hope so. I don't think so but it might be nice wouldn't it? NARRATOR: It would be. We're in Mickey's stomping ground, the city of Liverpool. The Tunnel Furniture Company is Mickey's next stop. MICHAEL STARKE: Here we are, right Marg? MARGIE COOPER: Yeah. My neck of the woods. Wow, garden stuff. Yeah, garden stuff. He seems to be coping all right. Wow. Aladdin's cave, this is. NARRATOR: Have they got ants in their pants? With six rooms stuffed full they've got a lot to look through in here. Are you a bit overfaced? Oh, now I like this, Marge. Oh, that's nice, isn't it? Oh, that's nice. What is it? It's like a sort of tea's made, is it? Yeah, it's obviously made in the shape of a ship, hasn't it? You've got your-- Tea and sugar or whatever it is. Oh, that's nice that, isn't it? Yeah. So how old would that be then? Well, I'm going to start being suspicious. I think we'll find that that is amazingly a really good repro. NARRATOR: Moving on, anything else take your fancy? Oh, look. Oh, one of those railway signs. Oh, my goodness. Oh, that's all right. I like them. Yeah, it's quite a good one. [INAUDIBLE] warning. People do collect those. Do they? Yeah, amazingly. Is it much money. 27. What do you think? Do you think? Yeah, might be. Could do. Yeah, yeah. NARRATOR: Well that's one contender. Gosh. You've got to have eyes in the back of your head, haven't you? Oh, aye. Oh, what you seen there? Oh, microscopes, I like them. Do you like microscopes? Yeah, yeah. So you know what would be good? MARGIE COOPER: What? We could look into them and inspect Ricky and Catherine's profits. Just as I thought, nothing. NARRATOR: The jokes just keep on coming. So you like those? I do like them, yeah. Possibility? Mm. NARRATOR: A second possible but, hello, what's this? Oh, that is nice, that, yeah. Yeah, it's Satsuma. Satsuma? Yes, Satsuma, Japanese porcelain. Oh. But that's quite nice because inside-- Oh, right, OK. That's all hand-painted. Really? Oh, wow. Yeah. That's interesting, isn't it. And if you look at all their faces, they're all different. Right, yeah. NARRATOR: Satsuma ware is divided into two distinct categories, the original plain, dark clay from the early 1600s, or the elaborately decorated styles for the export market like this one, probably dating from the early 20th century. But there's no ticket price. I think we need to speak to Paul, don't we. Let's get him over. Paul, Paul, Paul, oh, there he is. Paul, we spotted a lovely little Satsum-- well no, it's not that lovely, it's not that lovely. It's beautiful. A little Satsuma dish, Like the powder dish? Yes, the powder dish. Do you do that for about 45 quid. 40? Yeah, go on. I think we'll have that. MICHAEL STARKE: 40 yeah, we've done well, that's fantastic. That's nice. And the microscope, now do they come as a pair? PAUL SWAINBANK: No, they're different prices. MARGIE COOPER: Oh, I thought they were a pair for 70, Paul. MICHAEL STARKE: See a pair for 75 would be brilliant for us. We're working against Ricky Tomlinson, you know. Oh, you're working against Ricky Tomlinson. You know what I mean, we need-- You can have them for the 75. Oh, that is a result. Cheers, nice one. NARRATOR: This is going well. We'll have those. Now what about that? Just throw in that gas thing. That's going to be 15 quid. Should we go for that? 15 quid, yeah. I think that's fair enough, isn't it? Thanks Paul, you've been great. NARRATOR: That's 130 pounds for the railway plaque, the pair of microscopes, and the Satsuma powder bowl. Cheers. - Thanks very much. - Thank you so much. Yeah, thank you. Cheers Paul. See you. Bye Paul. NARRATOR: Over to the Jag and Ricky and Catherine. So, yes, you know where we're off to now, Catherine? Where are you taking me? Liverpool. Liverpool, Liverpool? Liverpool. Liverpool. NARRATOR: Oh dear, Catherine. That's right, this pair are also in the city of Liverpool. This is where we do our deals, I reckon. This is where it all happens. Yes. NARRATOR: Penny Lane Emporium has lots of dealers selling their goodies. What will we find in here then? Isn't that lovely? We might find some of your old stuff here. It's funny isn't it? Things like this now becoming collectible. Yeah. Fantastic. I mean you probably had one like that, did you? I did. What about this? I like this. Nah. Ah, it's a bit of class, isn't it? I like that. Oh, isn't that elegant. I think that's lovely. I like it, I do like that. I love these shades, and the fact that they're just-- I mean that one's obviously not got a bulb, but don't they look lovely when they're lit? I do like that actually. I think that's very elegant. 1920s it could be. I think that's really stylish. NARRATOR: And it's priced at 150 pounds. Let's get dealer, Mark, over. Mark! Mark. Mark. Mark. NARRATOR: Mark. Right there, you found something? We have. Not probably what we would normally find, but we quite like this lamp. Oh, it's lovely,yeah. Nice, isn't it? And I'm guessing the person is not here? That's right, yeah. Di is not here at the moment. You couldn't give her a ring for us, could you, and let me have a word with her. I can certainly give her a tinkle. It's just a bit out of our price range at the moment, so-- Bear with me. I think what do we want to pay ideally? I think 100 pounds is our tops, isn't it really. About 100ish if we can-- I could only go to 125 so I'll give her a tinkle. Give her a tinkle, see what she says. You can speak to her. NARRATOR: Prepare yourself, dealer, Diane. Ricky Tomo with you, kid. Now listen, we like this little-- this little lamp stand, you know the brass standard lamp. Now listen, you are in a good mood, Diane, and everything's going well, and we're going well, and I want to win this blinking competition. Come on, what's the lowest you can go, Diane. DEALER ON PHONE: I want you to win it though. How about 90? 90? Hey! You re on, thank you very much. I'm going to stop the call immediately in case you change your mind. Tat-ta, thanks Diane. You are brilliant, well done. Thank you, Diane. I made up with that. Thank you very much. God bless. Thank you. Sound as a pound, today. NARRATOR: Well done, Ricky. That's a 60 pound discount on the Edwardian brass lamp. CATHERINE SOUTHON: --so much. NARRATOR: Back to best pals, Mickey and Margie. The pressure's on now. Pressure's on. We haven't got long now to get stuff on the table. No we haven't but I'm confident-- To impress those two. Oh, yes. But I have absolutely every faith in you, Margie. Oh my l-- I rely on you. Goodness me. NARRATOR: They've traveled to the seaside town of Southport, home to the oldest Pleasure Pier in the UK, and this fine emporium, The Antiquesman. They have 245 pounds to spend in here. Wow, look at this. NARRATOR: Now what's that you've got, Mickey? Avast behind. Oh, it's not a telescope. What is it? It's a fireman's hose. I knew that all the time. NARRATOR: Easy mistake, Mickey. Quite like these. What's that? It's a bamboo brush pot. A brush pot. Yeah, you know, for painting holes. All right. Oh, I see, the artist paint brush pot. Yeah. Yeah, I do like that. Would that be expensive? Well I don't know. We'll have to wait and see. NARRATOR: Possible, no ticket price, moving on. That's a funny old thing next to your telescope. Oh, yeah, what is it? Oh. Oh, it's a spade. All right. Military, you think? Yeah. Some kind of cutting thing. Yeah. Yeah. The soldiers would have them on their belts. To cut a-- Dig in their-- well, trenches. Cutting a trench. Yeah, yeah. Gosh. NARRATOR: Can dealer, John, tell us any more about it? Yeah, it's for digging trenches. It is military. MARGIE COOPER: Is it? It is military, yes. OK. So you arrive-- It's got all the military numbers on the side, you see. Oh, in there, yeah. So you arrive on the battlefield, and the first job is to dig a trench. And it's very unusual because it's got the actual leather part. Yeah. And it's never been used. Yeah, we thought-- because there's no creases. So what is that bit for there? That would come up and that would-- very-- For a hard rock, stone or something. What an interesting thing. It is. I like that. Yeah. How much is it to me with a bad cold? OK. Without a cold 50 pounds, with a cold 30 pounds. NARRATOR: Interesting pricing. How much can this brush pot be? 90 pounds. Oh. John! - It's a lot that, John. It's a lot. Well, I see that. I like it, I really like it. NARRATOR: Time for Mickey to have a go at the old deal-making. Look at me, look at me in the eyes. I want the brush pot for 70 pounds. Now look at me in the eye-- I can't, I'm not that good an actor. I'll give you the brush pot for 90 pounds. MARGIE COOPER: Oh, you're not going to ease it? Two for a oner? Two for a oner, yeah? Go on, two for a oner. Done it. NARRATOR: So that translates into English as 65 pounds for the bamboo brush pot and 35 for the entrenching tool. Pay the gentleman. I certainly will, here we go. Here we have-- NARRATOR: And that deal takes their tally to five lots for auction, excellent. 80, 90, 100. Thank you so much, John. Pleasure doing business with you. I've really enjoyed it, it's been an experience. Thank you very much. All right, bye John, thank you. That's our shopping done, isn't it? Yeah, great. I think we've done well. We have, come on, let's go. NARRATOR: Meanwhile, what are Ricky and Catherine up to? We bought something yesterday doggy-related, and you're a bit of a doggy fan, aren't you? I'm a big doggy fan. I love dogs. My favorite breed are the bull breeds. You know, bull mastiffs, bulldogs, English bull terriers. NARRATOR: And because of this love for all things canine, Ricky and Catherine have detoured to Atherton in Greater Manchester. [DOGS BARKING] They've come to the Guide Dogs Training Center to hear how 86 years ago, four dogs would set in motion the beginning of ground-breaking training, ultimately bringing life-changing independence to tens of thousands of people, an incredible story of trust in man's best friend. Ricky's come to hear about the pioneering work of those who trained the first dogs for the blind. Center manager, Sue Richardson, knows the story. SUE RICHARDSON: Hello. You must be Sue? I am, lovely to meet you. Nice to meet you, kid. Nice to meet you. Thanks for that. You're very welcome. You can hear the dogs barking. Hi, Catherine, lovely to meet you. Yes, come on in. NARRATOR: The guide dog story starts at the end of the First World War. In 1916 a German doctor trained dogs to help veterans blinded by gas attacks. But by 1931 his techniques had found their way to Britain. We had two ladies, Muriel Crooke and Rosamund Bond, who had heard of some training success across Europe with blind people with dogs. And they decided they wanted to launch something over here. NARRATOR: The ladies were German shepherd breeders and organized the training of the first four British guide dogs, Judy, Flash, Folly and Meta from Muriel's home in Wallasey. The four men who volunteered were taking a brave, bold step into the unknown. It was a four-week class. They went through the rigorous training and it took quite a lot of confidence on their behalf, because obviously they didn't have any eyesight at all, and they were learning to work with dogs who they didn't know particularly well. So it took quite a lot of courage and bravery and they were learning to do things even like run along with the dogs. So these two ladies then basically started, right, we really need to do this properly. In 1936, the first house was created where people were trained regularly from there. NARRATOR: By 1956 102 dogs had been trained when the ladies created a breeding program. It really again really started off very well in England probably in about the late '60s, early '70s, that was our proper breeding program. And now we breed up to 1,400 puppies a year. [BARKING] NARRATOR: Rosamund and Muriel's training program acclimatized the dogs to busy roads and obstacles common in everyday life. This training is still used by the guide dog's charity today and is carried out by volunteers. Over the years, the golden retriever crossed with the Labrador has proven to be the most successful guide dog. Would you like to meet some of the puppies? Would you like to meet these little ones? - Yes please. - Yes, OK. Hello. Thank you. Who've we got here? So this is Kerry. Kerry, 14-weeks old. Oh, hello. And this is Chas, and he's 18 weeks old. Hello. So he's a little bit older. We just take them out and about on the bus and the train. Great. And we just get them used to everything. And they're lovely. They're allowed to play with toys and our own pet dogs. They have lovely puppyhood. You don't take old chaps in do you? [LAUGHING] You can come if you like. You can sit and lie down. Going to take the challenge? NARRATOR: But what's it like to be guided by a dog? Ricky is joining a class. Right, you ready? Yeah, yeah. OK, let's go. So what's happened here, we've set up what we call an artificial obstacle course which really approximates what a dog would have to deal with a guide dog owner out on the street when it's moving past street furniture, groups of people. So-- Fantastic. Yeah. It's very disorientating. I'm sure Ricky is probably finding this quite interesting to be honest. It's an amazing experience, kid. It's absolutely-- You can't-- you can't describe it though, see, can you? No. You're trusting him, in this case, the dog and you. But when the dogs are trained there's no you, there's just the dog and the handler. [SIGH OF ADMIRATION] NARRATOR: Over 80 years ago, four courageous blind men and their loyal dogs helped to transform the lives of the blind and partially sighted. Since then the charity has helped over 29,000 people to achieve life-changing independence, a remarkable feat illustrating the exemplary training and the wonderful bond between guide dog and his owner. [MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: With the shopping now complete, time to reunite and have a nosey at one another's buys, prepare to be dazzled. Did you have a good time today? Marvelous, wonderful time, couldn't have gone better. Really? Good. So you going to reveal? I'm going to show you what we bought. Exactly. Da da da. Ah, that's lovely. Da da da da. RICKY TOMLINSON: Da da da. CATHERINE SOUTHON: Da da da da. Oh. Oh. Now unfortunately we did have a bit of a mishap. We're missing a-- Oh no. --a shade. But that's fine because we've still got our beautiful lamp stand and look at all our objets d'art. - How lovely. - That's nice. Can I just move in? Yes you can. And have a look. What's happened here? Is there a lid on there? No. No because it's a world-famous entertainer. Oh, it's a character jug. CATHERINE SOUTHON: And who is it? Oh, it's Schnozzol Durante. That's brilliant. Oh, that's wonderful. Well done. Do you like-- He picked that, I think it's horrible. Jimmy Durante. [INTERPOSING VOICES] [INAUDIBLE] with a cup on his nose. Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you, when your objet d'art-- NARRATOR: Catherine doesn't have a clue. We love that. And then you've got the-- We don't mention that, we move on. We think that could have come from Imperial Russia. Yeah. See, no use talking to her. No use talking-- All right, OK. That looks nice that. That's not 32 carats, it's just 18. It looks more like boiled carrots. How'd you know. Should we reveal? Come on then, let's have a look at your stuff. We haven't really heard your-- Come on. Here we go. Here we go. Oh. Now then. I love your Satsuma. Yeah, I have to show you something nice about it. Both sides you've got a painting inside. That is very unusual. That is very unusual. How much did you pay for that? 40 quid. Yeah. 100 quid, 120 quid that. You reckon? Oh well, there we go. - That I've never seen. - What is that? That's a trench cutter. It's a what? Trench cutter. A trench spade. A spade? A trench spade. You must call a spade a spade. Used to have them in the American army for digging themselves in. That's unusual, isn't it? MARGIE COOPER: Yeah, I just thought it was a bit interesting. I think you've got a lovely selection there. It is. I think that is really interesting. I think that is fantastic. I think that is the best thing out of the lot although I hate saying that. Really? You're a sore loser? I am. But no, it's beautiful, well done, you. fantastic. Come on, then. Let's go. OK. We'll see-- we'll speak to you a bit later. We'll see you later at the auction. Oh, see you at the auction. Come on, then. NARRATOR: Come on you lot, dish the dirt. I think quite interesting. Yeah, yeah. You know some-- the little digging spade to the microscopes. I think, yeah, I think it's quite interesting. I think what is lovely is that Satsuma dish which is-- it is really unusual to be painted inside like that. It's really quality. You think they've got the edge on the auction? No, I think we're I'm quietly confident. I think we can swing this. What did you think when they saw the snoz? Well she knew who it was right away, right away. And it's-- You're pretty good. It's made by a quality maker, isn't it, and stuff like that. I think that'll do really well. I think it will. Well, kid-- Come on, let's go. You've been great, thank you. Come on. What do you think your mate, Ricky, said about this? Ricky would say, I tell you what, why don't we go to the alehouse and have a bevvy and forget about this. NARRATOR: Margie's speechless for once. We're off to auction and the West Midlands destined for the town of Stourbridge. Are you looking forward to seeing Catherine again, Mick? Yeah, I am. I was made up with her. She taught me a lot and very competitive like me, thinks we're on a sure thing. I can't wait to beat you. I'll shake your hand and commiserate with you but I think we're on a win. Well, I think we are. NARRATOR: Fielding's Auctioneers is the location for today's auction battle. This should be exciting. Hello. You all right, kid? How are you? You all right? - Ready for the fray? - Good to see you. Oh, yes, yes, we're up for it. Are you up for it? Hey. What do you think, Rick? You were a good loser. - Story of my life. - Take no notice of him. Come on. - Let's go, let's go. NARRATOR: Super confidence from Ricky, hey. Ricky and Catherine spent 215 pounds on five lots, Ricky being an impulsive buyer. Micky and Margie spent 255 pounds also on five lots. Micky proved to be a natural haggler. Nicholas Davis is the gavel basher for today. What does he think of our road trippers' offerings? At 75 pounds then, done and finished. [GAVEL FALLING] One lot I'll be worried about selling, Royal Dalton Jimmy Durante jug, just a bit out of fashion really. So it may struggle. The boom in the military is doing quite well. So the trench cutter could be an interesting lot, a bit different, bit unusual, should do OK. NARRATOR: Thank you, Nicholas. And we are also open to internet bidders. It's your lot. It's up first. You nervous? I am a bit nervous, yeah. Dalton caricature Yes, No, well he's lovely. He's lovely just like-- They could make one of you. There's confidence it's oozing out of you. Is there one of you? - There is one of me, yes. - Is there? Yeah. Oh, we need to get one. It's much bigger though. The nose is a lot-- the nose is a lot bigger. NARRATOR: Yeah, first Ricky's favorite, the Royal Dalton Jimmy Durante mug. Here's your chance to make someone happy. Where do you start me on this one? 10 pounds, 10, 10 pounds for it quickly, come on. It's here to go. 10 pounds, got to be sold. Are you coming online at 10 pounds? 10 pounds there. 15 if you're coming back online, with 10 pounds in the room, 15 you're coming back. At 10 pounds made and bid, internet's gone quiet. It was a long bidder, it was a long way away to give it fair. It was Australia. - What's wrong with-- They don't know-- Where's the American bidders? Last chance, all finished and done. [GAVEL FALLS] Oh! Well that's a surprise. Thanks very much, Mick, for your support. Thank you for your support. I feel really humbled. NARRATOR: Don't worry Ricky, you bought from the heart and that's what counts. Listen, don't be worrying. Any idiot could have about that. NARRATOR: Don't rub it in Mickey, your bamboo brush pot is next. And bids this time will open at 35 pounds. 35 [INAUDIBLE] 35 pound I'm bid. 40, 5, 40 pound in the room, 45 online if you coming back. It's 40 pounds in the room. CATHERINE SOUTHON: That's good though, it's online. 45 internet, 50 in the room, 55 online coming back. 60 in the room, 65 online, 70 in the room, 75 online. 70 pound in the room, 75, 80, 5, 90, 5 Stop! Stop, he says. Oh no, it's good. I'm selling at 110 pounds. Are we all sure at 110. So lady's bid [INAUDIBLE] lot 608, thank you very much. Well done. It's the-- NARRATOR: I think Ricky's upset. Well done team Mickey, a great profit. You see it's not the winning, it's the taking part. NARRATOR: Come on, Ricky, never fear, your 19th century urn is up next. 20 pounds for it quickly, anybody coming in for this one nice piece at 20 pounds? Internet's thinking about it at 20 pounds. No interest in 20. 20 I've got you, thank you. I'm bid at 20. We're off. A 20 pound maiden bid, come on be quick at 20 pounds, 25 anyone? CATHERINE SOUTHON: We need more than that. 25 pounds for an extra fiver. At 20 pounds and it's going to be a maiden bid. CATHERINE SOUTHON: Oh, come on! Oh, no. Internet's quiet, rooms quiet, 20 pounds it is, [INAUDIBLE] lot. [GAVEL FALLS] That's a bad result. It is, I know it is. That was a bad result. My bad result was coming out with him. NARRATOR: I'm sure things will pick up soon, Ricky. Ricky, five, six years, you'll forget this ever happened. NARRATOR: Next, Mickey's microscopes. Oh, there they are. 20 pounds, he'll put the hammer down, 20 quid. Two microscopes for 20 pounds. 20 pounds I'm bid, 25 anywhere else? At 20 pounds maiden bid, seems cheap, very cheap this. 25 anywhere else. For 20 pounds I'm going to have to sell them at 20. 25 on the internet? 25 online, got you. 30 in the room, 35 online. You coming back? MARGIE COOPER: Come on. One more won't hurt you. 35 pounds I'm asking. 30 pounds, 35, 40, still only 20 pounds each. 35, 40 pounds in the room, 45, you coming back online? I'm 40 pounds. You're lucky they were going to sell at 20 then. Online quickly, one last bid. At 40 pound then, room bid, I'll have to take it then at 40. Are we all sure and done. - Oh no! At 40 pounds for the two microscopes. CATHERINE SOUTHON: That's not a big loss. That's how you lose money. Well we were so thrilled, I mean, no, don't take it the wrong way. NARRATOR: Great support, fellows. Don't worry, Mickey, plenty more to go. See that's vindicated him. That does seem a bit mean. See you put the jinx on it, Ricky, you put the jinx. - I did put the jinx on it. - Carry on doing that. It wiped our profit on the brush. Yeah, it's wiped our profit on the brush. NARRATOR: Ricky's next with the copper powder flask. Oh look, that looks lovely. [INAUDIBLE] are always collectible. It's an interest, 30 pounds. 30 pounds, 30 pounds straight in. Take 10 a commission bid now of 30 pounds. 5 is all I ask in the room or online. At 30 pounds we are, 35, on the internet, 40 you're out, 35 internet bid. Seems about right at 35. 40 anywhere else in the room? 40 anywhere else online? - Come on. Oh, no. This is good, this is our good thing. 35 pounds, all done and finished. [GAVEL FALLS] That's what we paid, 35. MARGIE COOPER: I liked it. I thought that would make more. NARRATOR: So did I, Catherine. That's a real bargain for a lucky buyer. I'm putting on my trying to care face. Are you? NARRATOR: Dry your eyes, Ricky. Right, Mickey's next to go with his entrenching tool. Bid's an interest 35 What did you pay again? 35. Handy for the garden, if you're desperate. At 35 pounds, 40 anywhere else? At 35 pounds for the military at 35. 40 comes from anyone else? At 35 pounds then,are we all sure and done? With Will on commission at 35, bid's left with us. All sure and done at 35, last chance. [GAVEL FALLS] 35. Well done. NARRATOR: Another interesting buy at a sniff of a price, We've only broke even. We broke even. I hate that. NARRATOR: Ricky's Edwardian lamp is next to go. Does much better then the screen anyway. 100 pounds for the standard lamp, anybody coming in 100 pounds? No interest in this at 100 pounds? I'm going to drop it down then. 50 pounds for it, 50 pounds. - I can't bear it. - 50 pounds. Because it was such a good thing. No interest in this at 50 pounds. Can't, tempt anyone at 50 pounds for the standard lamp, the brass standard lamp. - If you start-- Oh, come on. I am absolutely astounded. It was so sleek, it was such a nice thing, At 55, this is ridiculous. At 50 pound I'm bid, do I see 55? Any other competition surely? Someone shine a light on it. It's gorgeous. 50 pounds, 55 anywhere else? At 50 pound, the maiden bid. I will sell it for 50 pounds. No other competition for the standard lamp? You've all got standard lamps at home, I presume? At 50 pounds, are we all sure and done and finished? 50,done. I really, really loved that. Gosh. That was such a shock. - Well you satisfied now? - Yes. There we go, if we'd had the lamps we could have done something. You're satisfied now, aren't you? No I feel terrible. NARRATOR: That's a real shame Ricky. It was an elegant thing. I'm only laughing on the inside. You're gloating, you're gloating. No, we're not. No, we're not gloating, honestly. NARRATOR: Mickey's railway plaques are next. Anybody coming for these at 20 pounds, comes in at 20 pounds. You're going to make me work hard, are you? 10 pounds for the two then, quickly. Where are all the hands? 10 pounds for these two, 10 thank you. 10, I'll take 15 off anyone else or should I make it easy at 12. 10 pounds it is. At 12 anybody want to jump in. At 10 pounds it is then, maiden, 12 at the back, 15. Oh, go on, an extra three quid. No? Yeah, yeah. Yeah, go on, yeah. [INAUDIBLE] cooker. It'll be hilarious. 12 pound at the back. Come on, put it over your cooker for 15 quid. [INAUDIBLE] It's 12 pounds at the back of the room. At 12 pound then, are we all sure and done and finished at 12 pounds. Right--- [GAVEL FALLS] That's a loss. Wasn't a lose, was it? Oh, don't worry. NARRATOR: Ricky's enjoying himself. Never mind, Mickey, you're still in the lead. Don't laugh, this is a disaster. Don't worry it's only a small loss. It's a disaster, not a loss. NARRATOR: Next it's Ricky's collection of Meccano and Dinky toy garden tools. They are sweet, they are small. If you've got a window box they could be really handy. Where are you starting me? 10 pounds for them, 10 pounds for them, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30. Oh, go on, you love them. You'll kick yourself. - One more, one more. - Not for a fiver. One more. 35, 40. Yes, go on. Oh, go on, you love them. You're going to kick yourself. 40, 40. You sure this time? Absolutely sure because you weren't sure last time, 40 pounds in the back, 45 anywhere else, 45 online? 45 anywhere else in the room? 40 pounds on the back room selling them at 40 pounds. Last chance at 40 pounds they're going, sold. [GAVEL FALLS] Well done. Oh, that's good. Nice one. NARRATOR: Finally a profit for Ricky. I want to borrow the wheelbarrow to take the profits home in. NARRATOR: Chin up Ricky. Right, it's the final lot of the day Mickey's Satsuma powder bowl. 45 pounds takes all the other bidders out. Straight away at 45 we're in and 50 online, 55, and 60 online, are you back? It's 55 on the commission with us. This should double, come on. 60 anywhere else in the room? 60 pound, the internet's back. In the room, I'll come back to you, 65. Let's do the room, 65, 70, gentleman, 75 madam? 75, 80 behind, 85 90 behind. This is good. NICHOLAS DAVIS: 110,120, 130. Well done. NICHOLAS DAVIS: 140 150 160, 170, 180, 190, 200. Oh, my God. Can't get you to round it up? That's a definite no, isn't it? At 190 coming back into the room. MARGIE COOPER: Satsuma's not doing that well. No, I know, but this is a good quality thing, this is a good example. We've got 190 pounds, are we all sure and done, 190 finished and done. [GAVEL FALLS] Oh, well done. I'm very pleased for you. No, no, I don't want to shake hands. NARRATOR: Blooming heck, what a way to end the auction, hey? Right, here we go. NARRATOR: Now time for the calculations. Starting with 400 pounds Ricky and Catherine made a loss of 87 pounds and 90 pence. The final total after all auction costs is 312 pounds and 10 pence. Mickey and Margie started with the same amount and after all sale room costs made a profit of 62 pounds and 34 pence. They are today's glorious road trip winners with final takings of 462 pounds and 34 pence. All profits go to children in need. Well done. Well, well indeed. That was great fun. - It's over. It's over, yes. Thank you so much, Margie, thank you. Absolutely wonderful, lass, really enjoyed it. Thanks, Catherine. Brilliant. Thanks, Catherine. Thank you. I hope to work with you again. I can't say the same about you. Never mind, here we go. Bye. NARRATOR: All's well that ends well. It's been good fun, Rick. We've had a great time, Learnt a bit, met new friends. Our experts have been superb, haven't they. Wonderful. Absolutely superb. How knowledgeable, hey? How knowledgeable. They can tell you anything about everything. Yeah, pity they didn't know who we were, though. Yeah, yeah, she kept calling me Mickey. NARRATOR: We've loved having you, bye-bye fellows. [MUSIC PLAYING]