Antiques Roadshow veteran accuses BBC of hiring for 'in-demand' traits, fears he may be axed
72-year-old glass valuer Andy McConnell says the program’s casting reflects a woke shift and that older, white male experts are at risk; BBC defends its diverse lineup.
A veteran Antiques Roadshow expert has accused the BBC of hiring on the basis of trendiness rather than expertise, saying he fears his days on the tea-time program are numbered. Andy McConnell, 72, spoke at an event in Somerset billed as Banter with Bonkers, where he claimed the corporation is moving toward a woke stance and that his own opinions no longer fit the channel's direction. He said he has seen colleagues encouraged to go along with a new ethos, while his position on the show could be at risk if he does not conform.
McConnell described himself as “old, posh, hetero, white and male,” arguing he is not “PC” and that this leaves him vulnerable. He told the audience that he believed the programme was now hiring people “based on what is in demand this week,” not on their expertise. He asked, “Do you want the guy who has written books on the subject or t***pots who happen to walk with a limp - or whatever characteristics happen to be in demand this week?” The remarks were made during a session that was billed as a light-hearted talk but has since drawn fresh attention to the show’s casting.
McConnell has appeared on Roadshows for more than two decades, building a reputation as a trusted glass expert. He said he had been hauled before internal panels over criticisms of his conduct and that when he is questioned, it is often framed as an issue of political correctness rather than behavior. He added that he thought the program’s producers were more interested in who was speaking than what was being said, and that this created pressure on long-standing contributors who do not align with newer norms.
A BBC spokesperson told The Mirror that the Roadshow line-up “has an incredible breadth and diversity of expertise, which reflect the variety of items brought to our roadshows up and down the country.” The spokesperson did not address McConnell’s broader comments directly but defended the program’s approach to selecting experts based on the nature of the items and the knowledge required.
The remarks come amid renewed scrutiny of Roadshow etiquette and sensitivities. In a separate episode, a guest was told he could not show some items because they were deemed too offensive for on-screen viewing. Robert Needs, 68, a former Sex Pistols-era fan, described bringing vintage punk clothing to the program and said his items were among those ruled unsuitable for display. He explained that he had bought items from Sex, the punk boutique run by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren, and that a number of designs were provocative by intention. Lisa Lloyd, the program’s specialist appraiser, let him know some pieces would not be shown, though she later valued his collection at around £1,000 per T-shirt. Needs recalled that the episode highlighted how Roadshow handles controversial material, highlighting the tension between gatekeeping and preserving history.
McConnell’s remarks underscore a broader debate about representation, expertise, and gatekeeping on long-running cultural programs. While producers emphasize a broad pool of specialists to cover a wide range of artifacts, critics say age, race, gender, and other signals are increasingly part of casting decisions. The BBC and its affiliates say the Roadshow remains committed to knowledgeable, diverse voices, while acknowledging the challenge of balancing tradition with evolving audience expectations.