Boss of Antiques Roadshow quits amid claims of off-camera rows
ON SCREEN it is the most genteel of shows; a family favourite watched by millions of viewers for almost 40 years.
But behind the scenes, the Antiques Roadshow has been plunged into crisis amid allegations of blazing rows and official complaints to the BBC that bosses have been rude to experts and crew.
The BBC executive in charge has now announced he is quitting the show just months after his partner, the show’s production designer, resigned.
One of the show’s experts said he, too, was standing down after 23 years in part because the environment on set had become “testing”.
The allegations of off-camera “ructions” will cloud the departure of Simon Shaw, the show’s much vaunted executive producer, who has insisted that, at the age of 60, it was time for him to depart. His partner Lloyd Farmar, 55, resigned about two months ago amid allegations he had been rude to experts and crew.
Fiona Bruce, the programme’s presenter, has told friends she is saddened by the departure of Mr Shaw.
Problems are said to have been festering for about two years but came to a head with Mr Farmar’s appointment as production designer on its last series. Mr Farmar also held a role as one of the show’s “meeters and greeters”, whose job is to appraise the objects brought in by the public and distribute them to the correct expert.
Murmurings of discontent included suggestions that those out of favour were being given less noteworthy antiques.
A source said: “There have been ructions. Lloyd is accused of rubbing people up the wrong way.”
One of the panel of experts, Clive Stewart-lockhart, who first appeared on the show in 1994, has quit, telling The Daily Telegraph that ill health had led him to resign but the decision was made much easier because of the “testing atmosphere” behind the scenes.
Mr Stewart-lockhart, who runs his own auction house, said: “Antiques Roadshow has become far less fun over the last few years and coupled with the fact I cannot manage a whole day [for health reasons] I have decided to throw in the towel.
“There was a very heated exchange in the summer. It is true. It has not been a happy place.”
Another expert, who declined to be named, insisted Mr Shaw and Mr Farmar would be greatly missed.
The source said: “Simon is a legend and an innovator. Together with Lloyd they kept the show fresh, alive and healthy for the past decade.
“Fiona [Bruce] is upset at Simon’s departure. Everybody will be sad.”
Neither Mr Shaw nor Mr Farmar were available for comment yesterday at the £1million house they share in Bristol.
The BBC refused to discuss claims of favouritism or the allegations of rudeness. A spokesman said: “We can confirm Simon has decided to leave the show. We would like to thank him for his creativity and passion over the years which has made it such a success. He leaves the show in great shape.”