Ep 21. Charles Hanson and Raj Bisram, Day 1

In season 24, episode 21 of Antiques Road Trip, viewers are treated to a special episode featuring two beloved experts: Charles Hanson and Raj Bisram. The episode is entitled "Charles Hanson and Raj Bisram, Day 1," and it promises to be a fascinating and entertaining hour of television.

The premise of Antiques Road Trip is simple but effective: two experts travel around the UK in their classic cars, visiting various antiques shops and auctions along the way. They are given a budget of £200 each and have the task of finding and purchasing items that they believe will make a profit at auction. At the end of each day, they compare their purchases and see how much they have made - with the winner being the one with the most profit at the end of the week.

In this episode, Charles Hanson (an auctioneer and valuer with over 25 years of experience) and Raj Bisram (a well-known antiques expert and TV presenter) team up to see what treasures they can uncover. We start off in Nottinghamshire, where the pair visit an antiques centre that is packed to the rafters with all sorts of interesting items. They waste no time in getting stuck in, with Charles finding a beautiful silver dish and Raj picking up a quirky industrial light.

From there, the duo head to Lincolnshire, where they visit a local auction house to see what's on offer. Charles is captivated by a stunning portrait of a lady and decides to take a punt on it, despite being aware that it may be a risky purchase. Meanwhile, Raj comes across a collection of advertising memorabilia that he believes could be a real winner.

As the day progresses, Charles and Raj continue to make interesting finds. They visit a hat museum, where Charles is entranced by a beautiful Edwardian hat and Raj discovers a charming silver thimble. They also stop off at an antique dealer's shop, where they are both blown away by a set of intricate cutlery that they just have to have.

Throughout the episode, we get to see the two experts banter and joust with each other, with Charles's dry wit and Raj's infectious enthusiasm making for an entertaining watch. We also get to learn about some fascinating items, such as a miniature dresser that was used as a teaching aid in the 19th century and a set of beautiful enamel boxes that were once used by aristocrats to hold their snuff.

As the day draws to a close, Charles and Raj head to their final destination - an auction house in Grantham. They nervously watch as their items go under the hammer, hoping that they will make a decent profit. The tension is palpable as the auctioneer announces the prices, but Charles and Raj take it all in their stride - knowing that this is all part of the fun of Antiques Road Trip.

Overall, Charles Hanson and Raj Bisram, Day 1 is a wonderful episode of Antiques Road Trip. It combines the thrill of the hunt with the chance to learn about some fascinating items, all while showcasing the unique personalities of two of the show's most beloved experts. Fans of the programme will not want to miss it.