Antiques Roadshow: Moment Mark Smith given pair of boots
The Travelling Auctioneers is back on the road, and this time there's a fresh face in the mix: meet James "JB" Broad, the new auctioneer joining the beloved BBC daytime series.
The show, known for its iconic little blue van, sees the team traverse the country to unearth, rejuvenate, and auction off hidden treasures that might otherwise be overlooked.
In its third season, the programme welcomes four new personalities, including two restorers and two auctioneers, to add some extra sparkle to the proceedings. Among the newcomers is the seasoned auctions expert James "JB" Broad.
Here's the lowdown on the latest addition to The Travelling Auctioneers' crew.
Early days
JB's early years were spent in the Cheshire countryside with his "small but amazing family", where he cultivated an early fascination with antiques from the tender age of 12.
His enthusiasm only intensified with time, leading him to become the manager and auctioneer at Whittaker and Biggs in Cheshire.
There, JB takes charge of the rostrum bi-weekly, typically overseeing the sale of over 1,400 lots per auction.
When the opportunity to join The Travelling Auctioneers came knocking, JB saw it as an "easy decision".
“The chance to travel and meet incredible people while uncovering the stories behind their cherished possessions is something truly magical.
“I'm particularly looking forward to the excitement of the auctions themselves – there’s nothing quite like the anticipation of finding out which items resonate most with buyers.”
Marriage
On the personal front, the TV auctioneer is in a long-term relationship with Emma Pawsey, though details about their romance remain scarce.
The Cheshire-based couple, who share their home with a labradoodle named Bailey, enjoy hitting the road in their part-converted VW van, affectionately dubbed "Vinnie," whenever they get a break from work.
JB popped the question to Emma back in December 2021 and took to social media to announce the joyous news, posting snapshots of the pair and Emma's sparkling new engagement ring.
He captioned the photos: "Yesterday the most exciting thing happened, I asked the love of my life to marry me and she actually said YES.
"Emma is a girl who has stood by me through everything, she's made me laugh more than you could imagine, she's beautiful inside and out and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with her.
"If you have a glass in your hand (which you should do as it's nearly Christmas) please raise it to the most incredible girl I've ever met, my fiance - Emma Pawsey."
Fast forward to November 2024, the lovebirds exchanged vows at Shustoke Barn in Warwickshire.
The TV star shared glimpses of their enchanting wedding day online, expressing his elation: "I got married to the love of my life @em.broady_ and we had the most magical and special day we could've asked for.
"It took some serious amount of planning, but I'm so glad it paid off, I'm incredibly proud to say that we got the wedding we both deserved and always wished for - I love you wifey."
Antiques Roadshow
Before JB became known for The Travelling Auctioneers, he graced television screens on shows like The Great Antiques Challenge and The Bidding Room, making a name for himself in the world of antiques and collectables.
In a remarkable career milestone, September 2024 saw him being invited to join the team of experts on the BBC's iconic Antiques Roadshow, a moment that filled him with immense pride.
The 29-year-old expert shared his excitement on the Q&A section of his website, commenting: "Being asked to work on The Godfather of television shows, Antiques Roadshow - I'm not often proud of my achievements, but this was huge for me."
His debut episode aired last year, and he couldn't help but express his joy on Instagram, posting behind-the-scenes snaps, including one with co-expert Marc Allum.
Overwhelmed with pride, JB captioned his post: "Tonight is my debut on Antiques Roadshow. Never in a million years did I think I would be saying this, for once, I'm going to say I'm actually pretty bloody proud of myself."
The Travelling Auctioneers season three airs weekdays at 4.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
