Antiques Roadshow leaves viewers in tears

The BBC was praised on Sunday evening after dedicating the latest episode of Antiques Roadshow to the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. 

An estimated 12,000 Allied troops lost their lives during Operation Overlord, a planned landing operation on the beaches of Nazi occupied Normandy at the height of World War II. 

The invasion on June 6, 1944 is recognised as one of the war’s most defining – and harrowing – conflicts, and veteran survivors paids testimony to its casualties during Sunday evening’s show. 

Host Fiona Bruce and her team of experts travelled between Portsmouth, where the Grade II listed Southwick House was used as a command post during the battle, and Normandy for an instalment that left many viewers moved to tears. 

In what appeared to be a recurring theme across social media, fans praised the BBC for paying homage to the forthcoming anniversary, while admitting the episode was marred by a series of geographical errors.

Taking to X, they wrote: ‘In awe listening to the stories behind D-Day on the Antiques Roadshow special. What a debt of gratitude we owe those who gave so much;

‘A fitting vehicle for Dday80 – excellent programme;

‘Extraordinary Antiques Roadshow tonight; what would’ve happened if Hitler had won?; 

‘I’m watching this compelling, deeply moving episode of Antiques Roadshow, honouring the bravery of those who landed on the Normandy beaches, and planning and support for DDay;

‘Astonishingly touching and beautifully produced;

‘Well done BBC for the extremely moving tales from D-Day on The Antiques Roadshow;  

‘Christ that D-Day Antiques Roadshow episode was outstanding. You’d have a heart of stone not to shed a tear. Braver than brave!;

‘Tonight’s Antiques Roadshow on BBC One was stunning. A DDay80 special, that was an enlightening lesson about all that was given by those troops, for our todays. We will remember them. Always.’ 

Special praise was afforded bilingual Bruce, who revealed an impressive command of the French language while talking to guests in Normandy. 

‘Fiona Bruce has gone even further up in my estimation as she also speaks excellent French,’ one viewer posted. 

‘Just watching Antiques Roadshow D-Day. Fiona Bruce just interviewed a French resistance fighter in clean and lovely French with seemingly no effort,’ wrote another.

‘Fiona speaking French, I’m impressed,’ added a third. 

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