TELEVISION viewers may be becoming familiar with the sight of Largs antiques dealer Franco Narducci on the BBC these days – but another Largs ‘wheeler dealer’ is set to share the limelight.
Franco, who will be appearing in BBC1’s ‘Antique Roadtrip’ for the ninth time, will be joined by his friend Les Ward, owner of Wards of Largs, both of whom are pictured below inset, to provide some of his own expertise in a forthcoming episode.
The popular television show returned to Largs last Thursday for filming.
Presenting team Anita Manning and Paul Laidlaw faced off against each other as they visited Narducci’s Antiques showroom in Waterside Street.
In the programme both antiques experts compete against each other with a budget of £200 with which to buy antiques and collectibles from Narducci’s that are then sold at auction.
After the bidding, the amount in each expert’s kitty after costs is deducted and becomes their budget for the next leg.
The winner is the expert who makes the greater profit over five legs. Each is a single programme, which are normally broadcast from Monday to Friday.
The experts travel to their different destinations in a classic car, which changes each week.
Showroom owner Franco said: “It’s great news that Antiques Roadtrip has returned to Largs once more. We always look forward to their visits.
“I thought about asking Les Ward, who is a good friend, and it was great to have him on board.
“He took to it like a duck to water.”
Les added: “Basically it was a bit of fun. Franco has done it a few times and asked me if I wanted to come for a bit of craic.
“It is shot completely live as it happens. Anita and Paul have a wee scurry about and when they find something, they ask you how much it is for a a particular item and strike you a deal.
“Franco had me well informed about what prices to ask for – and where to set the bar.
“The presenters of the show have to work to a budget.
“I thought I did very well and Paul actually thought I worked in there.
“I told him I was just helping out Franco for the day, and he said ‘I thought you were in the industry’. I told him I have been selling all my life - I am wheeling and dealing every day after all!
“I certainly enjoyed the experience and would do it again if I had the chance. It was good fun.”
Les, who is also well known in the town as a director of Gillian’s Saltire Appeal charity, said: “I have appeared on the television a few times over the years but to appear on Antiques Roadtrip was a bit of a first. I think Franco and me made a good team.”
After filming in Largs, Anita, Paul and film crew headed up to Wemyss Bay to catch the ferry across to Bute for more filming before they headed off to their next location.
Antiques Road Trip is a BBC television series produced by STV Productions and is now into its 17th series.