Millionaire Hoarders returns to Channel 4

A rare World War Two Spitfire that defended the skies over Dunkirk and a George Stubbs masterpiece are just two of the hidden treasures uncovered…

Launching tomorrow, Friday 2nd May, at 8pm, the new series will see experts Clive Downham, Ronnie Archer-Morgan, Ed Bailey, Katie Ridges and Paula Sutton sift through homes crammed full of potential gems to unearth items that could raise life-changing sums of money.

In the first episode, Furniture, Scientific and Mechanical Antiques expert Clive visits national landmark, Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland to help custodians Frankie and Claire find valuable pieces which could help maintain the castle for the nation and is stunned to find the remains of a Mark 1 Spitfire. One of the world’s most iconic aircrafts, only 240 Spitfires remain today and only four Mark 1s are airworthy.

Clive learns that Frankie excavated the Spitfire after discovering the crash site and it has been displayed at the castle for public view ever since. Using his contacts and with the aircraft’s unique registration code still intact, Clive traces Spitfire L1037’s wartime service record and discovers it played a crucial role in Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain. The aircraft later crashed on a training manoeuvre, but its pilot survived. With Frankie and Claire’s wish that the Spitfire’s legacy is preserved, will Clive be able to find the right buyer?

Clive Dunham said of the Spitfire:

“It’s a wondrous thing. It’s a very special aircraft. Magical, the whole thing is once in a lifetime. There’s a great deal of emotion attached to these aircraft and people absolutely love them. I’m from an engineering background, so I can understand the passion.”

Furniture, Scientific and Mechanical Antiques expert Clive Dunham with the remains of a Mark 1 Spitfire. / Channel 4

In the second episode, airing on Channel 4 Friday 9th May at 8pm, Art, Antiques, Design and Jewellery expert Ronnie visits fanatical collector, Sally from Nottinghamshire who has created the UK’s only Horse Museum.

Sally has dedicated her life to her collection of horse memorabilia which she shares with the public but needs to raise funds to secure the museum’s future. Searching through the equestrian treasures, Ronnie is staggered to find a painting which had been stored in a backroom for 50 years by the most famous painter of horses in the world, 18th century English artist George Stubbs. Ronnie discovers the artwork is of a grey cob called Rainbow dating to 1802-4 and painted by Stubbs when he was almost 80 years old.

Will Sally part with the artwork and will Ronnie be able to get the money she needs to secure the future of the museum?

Ronnie Archer Morgan said of discovering the Stubbs:

“I’ve just been handling and talking about a Stubbs! It’s been in my hands; it’s a wonderful thing – this is why I love my job. Getting the best price for Sally so she can continue her dream. Her dedication to her museum brought me to tears. She’s so humble and dismissive of any praise for what she’s done, but what she’s achieved is monumental. The volume of material she’s collected and the finances she’s committed to her museum is amazing.”

Millionaire Hoarders, Friday, May 2nd at 8pm on Channel 4