Catch up TV

Series 1: Episode 1

Mel Giedroyc and antiques expert Mark Hill help collectors in crisis as they comfort, catalogue, curate, clear out and showcase precious items. In doing so, we get a vivid insight into the lives, loves and dilemmas of the owners and discover what drives them to collect on such enormous scales. \n\nThis episode follows Stuart, whose love of all things railway has led to him building a life-size 1950s railway station in his back garden to house his 1,000-piece collection of signs. But his passion doesn't stop there, Stuart has not one, but three huge collections. The railway collection spills into the purpose-built underground station, then there is the 'petroliana' in the garage - signs and equipment from petrol stations - and finally an entire street of Victorian shops in his attic to house his 6,000 items of packaging. \n\nBut now his life's work is threatening to derail, as his compulsion to buy more and more has left him with a buffet bar full of junk, with piles of signs everywhere ruining his careful curation. Mark and Mel want to convince Stuart to streamline his collection and sell off some items so his beautifully curated settings can breathe, and there is a shock valuation in store for everyone.\n\nCollectaholic Nick has spent 38 years amassing an astonishing collection that most people would consider plain old rubbish. Nick has more than 7,000 British beer cans that line the walls like modern art. They are all housed in a carefully controlled setting, with the curtains closed and temperature maintained. Wife Deborah has confined the cans to one room in their house, but with no space left for new ones, can Mark and Mel help Nick and Deborah find a solution to their storage crisis? The collection is also valued. When Nick bought the cans, their value was in their contents. Now they are empty packaging, are they worth anything at all?\n \nFinally there is 33-year-old airline steward Ben, whose collection isn't just ruling his home, it has become his home. He has turned his house into a shrine to the 1930s and 40s, with everything from the art deco furniture, to the Bakelite light switches. But he still needs one elusive item, an authentic stove to complete his wartime kitchen and to do that Mark and Mel need to sell some of his unwanted items to help him raise the funds. Can they help him get his dream item?

Source: BBC 2