BBC Antiques Roadshow expert triumphantly lifts trophy after sharing personal connection

WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Antiques Roadshow.

An Antiques Roadshow expert jokingly tried to walk off with a valuable Wimbledon trophy replica.

The BBC daytime show saw expert Jon Baddley met with an individual who brought in a treasure trove of memorabilia linked to a stellar Wimbledon champion.

Identifying the man in a vintage photo as Norman Brooks — dubbed "the father of Australian tennis", Baddley was curious about the connection to which the guest proudly revealed: "He's my grandfather.

"In his tennis career, he won many, many events but he won Wimbledon in 1907, being the first foreigner to win Wimbledon which was considered a mammoth effort because the British weren't going to let it go easily."

This wasn’t the only time Brooks had won the international competition either as Brooks took the trophy home for a second time in 1914.

He continued: “We believe this trophy and the 1914 are the only full size replicas in existence.

“Other than that, everyone else has only got miniatures.”

"I think that was borne out due to the fact they never expected to lose in 1907, so they just made another one, as it were.

"Then from there to 1914, there was no one outside Britain that won it.

"Even Tony Wilding, who was a New Zealander, he lived in Britain, right? So he got a miniature.

"But grandfather got, we believe, the only two full sized replicas and even when we inquired at Wimbledon, they didn't even know."

Chipping in, Baddley commented: "Which makes it exceptional, because I have to say, when I initially saw it, I just thought 'Well somebody's stolen it, [and] bought it over here. But exceptionally rare. Yes."

Discussing his grandfather's achievements, he then queried if the doubles victory was also in 1907, to which the guest confirmed: "Yes, he won the doubles in 1907 which was the maiden year as they say, from the point of view that he was the first man to win it but he won the singles and the doubles, which was quite staggering really."

As Baddley turned his expertise to the valuation, he began: "Purely in financial terms, I would have thought the doubles jug is going to be worth, to a collector, let's put it that way, well in excess of $20,000 or £8,000."

Examining a weathered racket, Baddley enquired if it was the one used in any championships, but the guest could not confirm, prompting Baddley to estimate: "But certainly used by him, it's probably $5,000 or £2,000,".

The appraisal moved onto the star piece, the renowned Wimbledon trophy replica.

"But what's this worth? I mean, only one other replica known, which you also own, and obviously the original is at Wimbledon, but a massively important trophy to tennis enthusiasts.

"It's difficult to come up with a price but I think at auction, you're talking about a figure well in excess of $75,000 or £30,000. So a fantastic piece."

The guest remained unfazed by the staggering valuation, simply responding: "I believe grandfather believed these belong to Australia, not an individual."

Baddley then proposed the idea of donating it to a sporting museum, which the guest agreed would be a fitting tribute.

In a surprising twist, the expert revealed his own link to the trophy, explaining: "I also have a personal interest in this, because, I don't know if you have noticed but, if I can pick it up here, on the side there is 1893. W Bradley, Wilfrey Bradley.

"Well my name's John Badley. And he's a distant relation of mine", he disclosed as the guest smiled "How wonderful".

Seizing a playful moment, Baddley quipped: "So I hope you don't mind if I give it a quick kiss", and proceeded to peck the trophy, eliciting laughter from the guest.

Emulating a Wimbledon champion, the expert then hoisted the trophy aloft, declaring: "And then I do the classic", to the applause of those watching.

"That's wonderful Jon", the guest beamed, as Baddley jokingly added: "I'll take it with me now", feigning a theft of the prestigious trophy, much to the crowd's delight.

Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.