Graham Charles Lay | |
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Born | Graham Charles Lay 19 January 1960 Willesden, Greater London, UK |
Died | 27 November 2016 | (aged 56)
Occupation | Military antiques expert |
Years active | 1988–2016 |
Television | Antiques Roadshow |
Graham Charles Lay (Willesden, Greater London, UK, 19 January 1960[1] – 27 November 2016[2]) was a British antiques expert specialising in arms, armour and militaria, and military history, probably best known for his many appearances on BBC TVs Antiques Roadshow[3] television programme, where he had been one of the team of experts since 1988. He was regularly seen wearing a 'Blue Peter' badge.
He appeared as an expert on other BBC TV antiques programmes such as 20th Century Roadshow, Priceless Antiques Roadshow and Bargain Hunt. In Series 1, episode 6 of 20th Century Roadshow, recorded at Imperial War Museum Duxford, he valued a World War II Spitfire MkIX aircraft at between £1,000,000 and £1,500,000: the highest price for anything ever valued on the show.[citation needed]
He contributed to several books such as Antiques Roadshow Collectables,[4] and wrote auction reviews and articles for newspapers and periodicals, including writing for Black Powder, the magazine of the Muzzle Loaders Association of Great Britain.[5]
He died at the end of 2016 having suffered from cystic fibrosis since birth and he was remembered in the Antiques Roadshow highlights special on 28 December 2016, shown on BBC1.