Season 46 of the beloved Antiques Roadshow premiered on Sunday, but viewers were quick to voice their frustration with host Fiona Bruce and the show's new format. The first episode of the "new look" series was set in the sunny British seaside town of Swanage, but even the picturesque location couldn't appease fans who expressed their disappointment with Bruce's "increased" presence on the BBC show.
New intro and a gong
The episode kicked off with a fresh introduction from Fiona Bruce, 59, before diving into a segment with expert Mark Hill as he examined an "eccentric" gong. The owner had acquired the gong for £200, but Hill estimated that it could be worth £500 to £700, more than double its initial price.
Gems and a rare teapot
As the episode went on, viewers were treated to a display of antique gems, including Star Wars memorabilia and a rare miniature silver teapot from 1728. Expert Duncan Campbell fell in love with the teapot and valued it at an impressive £12,000.
A lengthier presence
Despite the array of expert evaluations seen on the show, fans were quick to notice that Fiona Bruce had a significantly larger role in this episode compared to previous ones. In addition to her usual introductory commentary and voiceovers, Bruce engaged in a lengthy chat with expert Raj Bisman, delving into the antiques that hold a special place in his heart. She also shared a segment with Will Farmer, where he challenged her to guess the prices of various pieces of Poole pottery.
Viewers demand more antiques, less Fiona Bruce
The show's new format and Fiona Bruce's increased presence drew criticism from viewers. Many took to social media to express their dissatisfaction, with one viewer suggesting, "When are they going to go the whole hog and rename it 'Fiona Bruce's Antiques Roadshow?'". Others pleaded for the changes to be reversed, demanding "more old school antique experts and far less of Fiona Bruce."
Some viewers also raised concerns that the new format has made the show "infantile" and "dumbed it down" for viewers. However, there were a few who welcomed the changes, praising the little format tweaks.
Antiques Roadshow, hosted by Fiona Bruce since 2007, airs on Sundays at 8pm on BBC1.
