A Harry Potter fan told how JK Rowling sent her memorabilia after her mother died, in a touching story on Antiques Roadshow.
Aimee Vernon-Mead was among those featured on Sunday night’s special entertainment edition of the BBC programme.
She said her mother discovered she had cervical cancer while she was expecting Vernon-Mead’s little sister in 1995, but chose to continue with her pregnancy, sacrificing her own life. She died in 1997, when Vernon-Mead was nine.
When the magical world of #HarryPotter and @jk_rowling made a young girl’s dream come true. This collection of signed books and photos has a poignant story behind it as #AntiquesRoadshow expert Judith Miller finds out @BBCOne pic.twitter.com/jJ3TmUHBsV
— Antiques Roadshow (@BBC_ARoadshow) December 31, 2017
When Potter author Rowling heard the story she sent Vernon-Mead her books about the boy wizard, including a first edition, a letter and photographs. She also invited her to the set of the 2005 film Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire.
After being told by expert Judith Miller that her collection was worth between £5,000 and £8,000, Vernon-Mead said it was something she would “treasure forever” and that it would not be sold, explaining: “I have a little girl and it will be passed down to her.”
The special episode was part of Antiques Roadshow’s 40th anniversary series.
Set against the backdrop of Albert Square at the BBC’s Elstree studios in north London, the team appraised a selection of rare and unusual items of entertainment memorabilia.
Fiona and some new friends who've come to see the very first #DrWho script on #antiquesroadshow @BBCOne pic.twitter.com/OCKGJDBtYs
— Antiques Roadshow (@BBC_ARoadshow) December 31, 2017
They included the axe that Jack Nicholson wielded in The Shining, a script for the first episode of Doctor Who, and props from films including Star Wars and Raiders Of The Lost Ark.
Now we never thought we’d see Fiona in the Queen Vic but here she is and she's joined by Letitia Dean and June Brown for a trip down @bbceastenders memory lane. #AntiquesRoadshow @BBCOne pic.twitter.com/R44X1fow7t
— Antiques Roadshow (@BBC_ARoadshow) December 31, 2017
Presenter Fiona Bruce also popped into The Queen Vic where she talked to EastEnders stars June Brown and Letitia Dean about their highlights from their time in the soap.