BBC Two's Celebrity Antiques Road Trip took an unexpected turn when Gladiators icon Diane 'Jet' Youdale was forced to abandon filming halfway through the episode due to illness. The news was delivered to experts Margie Cooper and Ishy Khan by Youdale's fellow Gladiator James 'Hunter' Crossley, who announced: 'Bad news. Sadly Diane's not gonna make it today, she's not in great shape. So, just one Gladiator. I'm gonna hold [down] the fort.'
Gladiators Reunited for Antiques Challenge
The episode featured two stars from the iconic 1990s show Gladiators: Diane Youdale (Jet) and James Crossley (Hunter). They were split into teams, with Youdale partnering expert Ishy Khan and Crossley teaming up with Margie Cooper. Each pair was given £400 to source vintage items across Greater Manchester and Lancashire, aiming to make the highest profit at the final auction.
Youdale initially participated in the treasure hunt, scouring towns for hidden gems. However, she fell ill before the auction, missing the chance to see how her selections performed. Crossley was seen on the phone saying, 'Alright my love, get well soon. Lots of love,' before breaking the news to the crew.
Auction Results and Reactions
Despite the setback, the show continued with three participants. The auction results revealed that Crossley and Cooper's team secured a loss of £191.28, while Youdale and Khan's team suffered a slightly higher deficit of £196.88. Crossley and Cooper were declared the winners.
Reflecting on Youdale's absence, Margie Cooper said: 'That's such a shame, isn't it?' Crossley added: 'Yeah it's such a shame because I know she was so excited about those auction pieces.' The episode aired without showing Youdale's reaction to the loss, but featured entertaining segments with the remaining cast.
Availability and Viewing
Celebrity Antiques Road Trip is available for streaming on BBC iPlayer. The show continues to attract viewers with its blend of celebrity guests, antiques expertise, and competitive auction dynamics.
