Phil and Ellie, a father-daughter duo, became the first team eliminated from the BBC's new competition series The Big Deal after failing to sell ceramic teapots at auction. The teapots, created by artist Alexandra Smart, held deep personal meaning for her, as they were inspired by her late father.
Emotional Connection to the Teapots
During the first episode, hosted by Steph McGovern, seven pairs of trainee art dealers competed in challenges testing their negotiating, creativity, and profit-making skills. Phil and Ellie were drawn to Alexandra's ceramic teapots, which she said had a reserve price of £500.
Alexandra explained the pieces' significance: "The starting point of the work was that my dad actually died last year, and when I was down there for his funeral, I drank a lot of tea. Kind of like I had something that meant a lot to him coming out of them. So yeah, it's really personal and it kind of feels special that you're like a dad and daughter."
Overcome with Emotion
Ellie was moved to tears by Alexandra's story, prompting an apology from the artist. In a cutaway, Ellie shared her own bond with her father: "My dad has always been a very constant force in my life. He means a lot to me. He's the person that I always go to if anything happens and I need advice. I think with our age gap, how much time have we got left to do these sorts of things? We're just seizing the day and just doing it. Doing something different together."
Alexandra agreed to let them try to sell her pieces, saying it was 'meant to be' that they went to a father and daughter on the show.
Elimination and Reaction
Sadly, the teapots failed to sell at auction. Ellie admitted, 'that breaks my heart', not being able to sell them for Alexandra. Judge Cordelia de Freitas explained the decision to Steph: "Unfortunately, someone had to gland it was the drive the other two pairs had that's what's needed at the moment."
Steph replied: "Oh, I don't like seeing anyone go!" Outside, Ellie told the camera: "I don't know what more we could've done in terms of selling the pieces. I think we did a really good job of that." Her dad Phil added: "Working with your daughter at this level is fantastic. We'll always have that."
The Big Deal is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
