A former musician appearing on Antiques Roadshow was shocked to discover a guitar given to him by George Harrison was valued at £400,000.
The man, who identified as Ray on the BBC series, was gifted the instrument after Harrison told him he could play it better than he could.
Ray knew Harrison from recording music for his production company, Handmade Films.
“It’s a strange old thing to play,” he said, adding: ”I played a few notes and he said ‘Yeah, you’re definitely getting more out of it than I am. It’s doing better for you – why don’t you have it?’”
The show’s expert John Baddeley called it “by far the most expensive thing [he’s] ever seen” in his 25 years working on the series.
Ray, who said he was “taken aback” by the news, said he could not believe its price.
“I never really thought about value, as George being a mate and all that. I don’t know what to say actually. I didn’t realise it was worth that much money. It’s lucky I don’t keep it in the house.”
Adding value to the instrument was an accompanying photo showing Harrison posing with the guitar.
The episode can be viewed on BBC iPlayer. The series continues next Sunday on BBC One at 8pm.
