BBC's Antiques Roadshow experts refuse to value 'priceless' items for D-Day special

Presenter Fiona Bruce fronted a special edition of Antiques Roadshow on Sunday night. To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, the beloved BBC show was filmed in Normandy, France, and the D-Day Museum Portsmouth for the special feature.

As the episode kicked off, viewers saw Fiona walking along the beach in Normandy as she explained how the episode would unfold. She said: “We’ll be unfolding the events surrounding D-Day through various items and artefacts you’ve shared with us for this special commemoration.

“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.”

However, it seemed as though the decision for the special not to feature any valuations didn't seem to faze BBC viewers.

@MrGlennJones said: "Amazing episode tonight"

Explaining some of the history surrounding the day and the events that unfolded, Fiona commented: “Operation Overlord saw an allied force of over 150,000 British, Canadian and American troops land in a combined naval, air and ground assault on Nazi-occupied France.

“From across the channel, the first troops stepped onto these shores on Tuesday 6th June 1944. A day that will be forever known as D-Day.”

During the special, BBC viewers saw one woman whose father flew a Horsa glider for a special mission.

With the Eastern flank of Sword Beach unprotected, and therefore open to attack, troops from the sixth British airborne division set off on the eve before D-Day to try and secure two road bridges.

Ceasing both of the bridges meant that the Germans' counterattack was limited, which resulted in them having to take a detour of several hours to reach the landing beaches.

The guest’s father was one of the pilots on the mission, who was expected to defend the bridges until reinforcements arrived once their gliders had landed.

She brought a photographic map her father would have had on him to indicate where to land, along with a letter and a compass.

The BBC guest said: “I can’t imagine how it must’ve been for him, as pilots they’re so exposed, but it meant a lot to my father to be part of a very important operation.” She later explained her father had written a letter to her mother and brother the day before he set off.

Reading some the words her father had written, she said: “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.”

The woman was moved when reading the letter from her father, as her voice started to wobble when speaking.

She added: “I feel incredibly proud and I feel very emotional that that’s my dad.”

Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.