TRIBUTES have been paid to antiques expert Henry Sandon MBE who passed away on Christmas Day morning at his Malvern home.
Henry joined BBC One’s Antiques Roadshow in 1979 and was the much-loved face of the show.
Among his roles were the curator of the Dyson Perrins Museum at the Royal Worcester Factory.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Museum of Worcester staff expressed their sadness and said: “Our curator and then patron of the Museum for many years, a much-loved expert who shared his knowledge and enthusiasm for pots and Worcester in person, in books and on TV.
“He will be sorely missed.”
Carol Challis, wife of the late John Challis, spoke on X about when she met him when he appeared in the Only Fools and Horses follow-up show ‘Green Green Grass’.
Carol said: “My condolences to the family of Henry Sandon who was such a good sport on an episode of Green Green Grass: ‘One Man’s Junk’.”
“Sad to say goodbye to such a loved and respected man,but his son John carries on the knowledge.”
He also did a lot locally, including, in 2017, opening a new sensory garden to help patients living with dementia during their stay at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
It was a cause close to Henry’s heart as his late wife lived with dementia.
He was awarded an MBE in 2008 for his services to broadcasting, the ceramics industry, and to charity.
On the BBC’s website, Catherine Catton, the corporation’s senior head of commissioning, factual entertainment and events, said everyone was very saddened to learn of Henry’s passing.
“He was a much loved member of the original Antiques Roadshow team and brought joy and expertise to viewers both here in the UK and also the many other countries where the show is broadcast.
“We’d like to extend our deepest condolences to Henry’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
Robert Murphy, Antiques Roadshow’s series editor, added: “Henry was a titan in the world of ceramics, the font of all knowledge, and his passion for the craft won him a legion of fans on the Antiques Roadshow.
“Henry had a rare warmth and generosity of spirit and was always ready to share his expertise, whether it was on our TV screens as a much-loved ceramics specialist or at the hundreds of Roadshows he attended over the years, often regaling an adoring crowd with tales of his adventures in the business.”
