THE LAST Antiques Roadshow to be hosted by Michael Aspel has been filmed at Lord s Cricket Ground and will be broadcast this week. After eight years of working on the long-running BBC series, the veteran television presenter has now decided

Sanchez Manning

THE LAST Antiques Roadshow to be hosted by Michael Aspel has been filmed at Lord's Cricket Ground and will be broadcast this week.

After eight years of working on the long-running BBC series, the veteran television presenter has now decided to step down.

As his final act he recorded a special edition of the Roadshow for Sport Relief 2008 at the world-famous ground in St John's Wood.

There were 1,300 sports fans in the MCC Museum and Long Room to take part in the programme and catch a glimpse of sporting heroes like Tessa Sanderson, Graham Gooch and Murray Walker.

The Premier League medal thorwn into the crowd by ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho also made an appearance.

The show has been to Lord's before, back in 1997, but this is the first time MCC officials have given the team exclusive access to the Pavilion.

Adam Chadwick, MCC curator, said, "The hundreds of visitors to Lord's for this special Antiques Roadshow showed that the public share the same passion as MCC for sporting history.

"Among the paintings and memorabilia of the oldest sporting collection in the world, everyone had the chance to see some prize possessions from all around the country. I am sure it will make great viewing for the Sport Relief weekend."

The artefacts and memorabilia brought along to the show included one of the stopwatches used to time Roger Bannister's four-minute mile and a painting showing the earliest recorded game of football.

Antiques Road Show editor Simon Shaw said: "We were astounded at both the quality and quantity of objects brought.

"And to be allowed access to the Long Room at Lord's was a huge privilege."

News presenter Fiona Bruce is now set to take over from Michael Aspel.

He said: "I've really enjoyed my time on The Antiques Roadshow, travelled many thousands of miles and met some wonderful people, but now seems a good time to hang up my shoes," he said.

"I've been in television for 50 years and have a very tidy mind, so it's great to finish on an anniversary and while I am feeling totally fulfilled.

"I have no immediate plans, but that doesn't mean I won't be back if an interesting project comes along."

The Sport Relief Antiques Roadshow will screen on BBC1 at 6.30pm on Sunday..

sanchez.manning@hamhigh.co.uk