BBC Antiques Roadshow guest gobsmacked by value of Halloween decoration he bought for £8

An outdoors US guest was gobsmacked after discovering the value of a Halloween decoration he snagged for a mere £8 about 25 years ago.

The chap had picked up a red and orange painted devil ornament, which he'd proudly displayed every October since its purchase.

Recounting his find, he shared: "About 25 years ago, I went to a historical society sale where people donated items to keep the historical society going. And I collected Halloween [items] and I walked in and he was sitting on the floor and I purchased him.

"He cost a whole $10 [£8]. I inquired about who made it and it was a local gentleman who worked in a Recounting his find and supposedly it was like [in] around 1920 or 1930."

Nancy Druckman, an expert in American folk art, examined the wooden figure, which was seated with crossed legs and clutching a pitchfork. She offered her insights reports the Mirror, stating: "This is the epitome of American folk art. Here's a guy who was probably a millworker along the Monongahela River.

"I think the date is correct for it, because we're sort of in the era of Prohibition and the big temperance movement. So devils are out there and they're warning you about the evils of drink."

Nancy enthused: "It's just one individual's kind of inspiration and humor and capability and it's just got such personality. It's the beauty of American folk art. This piece could probably bring between $4,000 and $5,000 [£3185 and £3985]."

The owner was visibly stunned by the valuation, chuckling as he responded: "Wow. Geez! Well, it sat on my front porch during Halloween for 25 years in October, for the whole month. And he had corn stalks around him and everything, and I think we're going to be bringing him in."

Nancy advised with a smile: "You've got to find another center piece."

Join the Daily Record's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

Meanwhile, in a rare move, Antiques Roadshow presenter Frances Christie declined to appraise a WWII painting due to its sensitive history.

Frances Christie broke from tradition when she chose not to put a price on a painting likely created by a concentration camp inmate in 1946, the year following liberation.

As the segment drew to a close, where an appraisal is typically given, Frances stated her reasons for withholding a valuation: "In terms of value, I mean, this is the Antiques Roadshow, so we usually do put a value on things but I'm not going to put a monetary value on it today because it is so much more important than that."

She continued, highlighting the item's profound significance: "Because of its connection with Belsen, because of your uncle being someone from Belfast who was there at the moment of liberation... it has so much more of an important social (and) historical content."

Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily Showbiz newsletter here.