Tez Ilyas visits Darwen in Celebrity Antiques Road Trip

Today’s episode of Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, the celebrity version of `Antiques Road Trip' which sees two antique experts paired up with celebrity guests as they scour for antiques on a road, will feature comedian Tez Ilyas.

On the show Tez and antique hunter Roo Irvine will visit Darwen Salerooms and Antiques Centre, which is located at the site of the old Co-op bakery in Borough Road.

Sandra Lambert (left) with Roo Irvine filming Celebrity Antiques Road Trip (Image: Sandra Lambert)

Sandra Lambert who, co-owns the business with Richard Arkwright, said it was “an honour to be chosen” especially as the site has only been open since January.

She said: “It was an honour to be chosen, especially as we have not been open for long.

"When the [production team] called, they said they couldn’t believe they had not been down before.

“I think the BBC were attracted to us as we are relatively new and have such a variety of items.”

Sandra has also given viewers a hint of what to expect from the episode, as Roo and Tez invest in a toy from post-war period.

She said: “On the episode, viewers can expect to see a bit of everything.

“They bought a toy from the 1940s/1950s. The auction house is based in Edinburgh so they went an bought a bit of Scottish history.”

Sandra hopes the episode will give the business a boost and encourage customers from far and wide to visit.

She said: “Since posting to Facebook it has been amazing here. We have been really busy since the post and have had loads of new faces.

BBC film crews filming Celebrity Antiques Road Trip (Image: Sandra Lambert)

“Hopefully when the episode airs on Friday we will get a boost in business.

“It’s nice to put Darwen on the map.

“Our venue itself is a trip down memory lane and there is something for everybody. There is a friendly atmosphere, with two floors of antiques, a market, a café and an auction house.”

According to the BBC’s episode description, comedian Eshaan Akbar is also set to appear on the episode.

Tez said: 'You can fit everything I know about antiques on a pinhead, and that's still more than Eshaan would know. Can you tell I'm competitive?

"This was such a blast and can't wait for people to see who wins, me or Eshaan?!'

A spokesperson for the BBC said: “Lancashire is the stage for two razor-sharp rebel rousers, comedians Tez Ilyas and Eshaan Akbar.

“Satirical giant Tez has wowed audiences for over a decade, whilst good friend Eshaan’s star is fully on the ascendant. The two met on the comedy circuit, but now they’re up against one another.

“They have £400 to spend, with experts Charles Hanson and Roo Irvine on hand to help, and a 1960s Daimler Dart is the classic car of choice.”

Muslim Alim, BBC commissioning editor, said: “It’s great to have Celebrity Antiques Road Trip back on BBC Two, with another exciting list of celebrity duos and a plethora of weird and wonderful items that will have you guessing till the last minute on their profit potential.”

Craig Hunter, creative director of factual at STV Studios, says: “We’ve been making this show for 12 years now and there’s still no better feeling than seeing a new crop of celebrities get as excited and passionate about the world of antiques as we are.

“Series 12 is one of our best celebrity line-ups ever and I can’t wait to share the series with our dedicated fanbase, as well as new viewers joining us for the first time.”

You can watch Celebrity Antiques Road Trip tonight (December 8) at 7pm.