Fiona Bruce leads tributes to Antiques Roadshow star Judith Miller who has died suddenly after illness

Virgin Radio

13 Apr 2023, 11:10

There's sad news in the TV world as Antiques Roadshow favourite Judith Miller has died suddenly following a short illness. The 71-year-old expert passed away over the Easter weekend and her death has been a 'huge shock'. 

Judith's Antiques Roadshow colleague Marc Allum paid tribute to his 'great friend' and shared a photo of him and Will Famar.

He wrote: "It's with great sadness that I post this picture of our great friend and @BBC_ARoadshow colleague Judith Miller who passed away this weekend. 

"She was magnanimous in giving me writing work early in my career. Here with Will Farmar too, all our thoughts are with her family. RIP."

Her daughter Cara Miller commented: "Thank you for posting such a lovely photo of my mother, she is so missed and we were so very proud of her."

Antiques Roadshow presenter Fiona Bruce said in a tribute statement: “When I started on the Antiques Roadshow, I was in awe of the experts - and none more so than Judith. She was Miller of Miller’s Guides no less, the bible of the antiques world when it came to valuations. Plus, she had authored many other books, too many to list, some of which were already on my bookshelf.

"But she was always gracious and generous with her knowledge, helpful to me and our whole team. And when our filming day had finished, she was never short of great stories accompanied by a glass of her favourite tipple, Pinot Grigio. She was the doyenne of the antiques world and of our show. Irreplaceable. And hugely missed.”

Alison Starling from publishing firm Octopus, said: "I’ve been lucky enough to work with Judith on and off for the past 30 years and the news of her death is a huge shock. 

"She had such energy and spirit – and always combined her impressively broad-ranging, in-depth knowledge of antiques with a life-long passion to make the world of collecting accessible and un-intimidating to all.

"Judith will be much missed by all those readers and viewers who looked to her for expert and reassuringly friendly advice."

Fans commented: "My deepest sympathies are with the loved ones and friends of Judith Miller - a towering figure in the Antiques industry. Her Guides bought knowledge to wider public. A hero of mine I was lucky enough to meet her on a couple of occasions, she was very kind and encouraging, RIP."

Another added: "This is so sad. Her guides got me into antiques and I still use them for reference. My deepest condolences to her family."

One fan penned: "So sorry to hear of this very sad news. I loved watching her. Her knowledge, humour and wonderful smile lit up the screen. Condolences to her family and the Antiques Roadshow family too."

"Saddened to read this. I met her at Newby Hall a few years ago when she valued an item for the Roadshow. A wonderfully engaging lady. Condolences to her family and friends," wrote a user.

In 1979, Judith co-wrote the famous Miller’s Antiques Price Guide with her first husband Martin Miller and went on to publish more than 100 books on antiques and interiors.

The expert joined the much-loved show in 2007 and has been a favourite for the past 16 years. She leaves behind husband John Wainwright, three children and four grandchildren.

Antiques Roadshow will be paying its own special tribute to Judith in a forthcoming episode.

RIP Judith.

Here's a first-look at Paul O’Grady’s final series of For the Love of Dogs.