Antiques Roadshow guest speechless as they're told value of show's 'most expensive' model

One of the most astonishing revelations on featured a life-sized model of Anthony Gormley's Angel of the North. The iconic 66-foot statue soars above Gateshead, costing £800,000 to erect in 1998, while the diminutive model fetched a whopping £1 million valuation. Several of these scale models were crafted by Gormley as part of his pitch to convince Gateshead Council to commission the monumental artwork, and after 13 years in an office, John McElroy brought the piece to the Sage Centre. John, whose father toiled in the coal mine beneath where the actual statue stands, was stunned when he learned its value.

The art dealer appraising the item had a point of reference for the valuation, stating: "It's easier to value than a lot of things of this stature, of this iconic resonance, because another version did sell very recently.

"Admittedly it was taller and it wasn't of bronze and that made about £2m. So I think on the basis that this is half the size, I would comfortably value it at £1m." John was left virtually speechless, managing only to express his astonishment with the words: "Amazing, absolutely amazing."

Mick Henry, leader of Gateshead Council, chimed in on the excitement: "It was great to showcase the Angel at the Antiques Roadshow and have it valued by the experts there. Obviously, we have it insured for a considerable sum, but because it belongs to the council, we would never look to sell it. It's also a unique piece because of the history of the sculpture."

The model wasn't the only hugely valuable find, as the show also saw one of the world's most elusive cameras, the gold-plated Leica Luxus II, was valued between £300,000 to £800,000 when it was presented to experts in 2001. This camera is one of four special edition pieces crafted in 1932 and is encased in lizard skin - the whereabouts of the other three are unknown.

The owner utilised the camera in the 1940s and 1950s, before putting it into storage until it was taken to the specialists. It was eventually sold in Hong Kong for a sum of £320,000.