'I'm a BBC antiques expert and would never refuse to value controversial item'

One BBC antiques expert has confessed he would never refuse to value an item just because it was controversial. Over the years, Antiques Roadshow stars have had to say no to appraising several items with ties to some of the most horrific events in history. Notably, one ivory bangle brought to expert Ronnie Archer-Morgan had links to both sales of ivory and the slave trade - and he refused to put a price tag on it.

Speaking on the show, Ronnie explained: "I want to make it absolutely clear that myself and we in the Antiques Roadshow and unequivocally disapprove of the trade in ivory. But this ivory bangle is here, it's not about trading in ivory, it's about trading in human life. And it's probably one of the most difficult things that I've ever had to talk about. But talk about it we must."

He added: "I just don't want to value it. I do not want to put a price on something that signifies such an awful business. But the value is in the lessons that this can tell people."

In another episode, expert Bill Harriman wouldn't put a price on a series of letters dating back to World War 2, which told the tragic story of a young girl who died during an evacuation attempt to Canada. Breaking down in tears, Harriman wouldn't value the letters.

But for Bargain Hunt star David Harper, refusing to give a value as to do so would be "censoring history".

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, he said: "There really isn't [anything I'd refuse to value]. Anyone who refuses to discuss something from history because it offends the in one way or another is guilty of censoring history.

"That has never worked out well. History is history and sometimes things were done differently then - we should study and learn from it, not pretend it didn't happen."

David also shared the one item he'd love to get his hands on - and it would need to have a personal connection to an interesting person from history.

He explained: "I've spent some time recently researching Dr David Livingstone for a project I'm working on. He not only spread Christianity, but because of the courage and conviction he had due to his Christian faith, he was instrumental in bringing to an end the East Africa slave trade - an incredibly brave and moral thing to do.

"This part of his life is little known, but an item that he once owned whilst in Africa would be an incredible object indeed."