Props from Fawlty Towers are to feature in a special episode of The Antiques Roadshow filmed on the set of EastEnders.

As part of its 40th anniversary series Antiques Roadshow has filmed an entertainment special on the set of the soap celebrating the history of film, music, theatre and television. 

The team visited the famous BBC Elstree Studios in north London, and against the backdrop of the legendary Albert Square valued treasured items, which give a glimpse into the world of movie legends, pop stars, theatrical giants and television favourites.

Presenter Fiona Bruce also dropped into The Queen Vic, for a chat and a drink with actresses June Brown and Letitia Dean.

Amongst the items featured on the programme are:

• The famous axe that Jack Nicholson used in The Shining
• Key props from the first Star Wars film and from Raiders of The Lost Ark
• Harry Potter collection of memorabilia with a moving story attached
• A script for the first episode of Doctor Who
• The guitar played by Mike Oldfield on Tubular Bells, and was once owned by Marc Bolan
• A collection of autographed items that tell of a day spent with Andy Warhol
• Two furry props from one of the best-loved episodes of Fawlty Towers

And in a memorable moment, Muffin the Mule treads the boards in Albert Square.  

The special was filmed earlier in the year and Antiques Roadshow had to work around one of EastEnders’ most explosive plot lines.

Fiona Bruce said: “Luckily, we managed to film on the EastEnders set before it was blown up!

“But we had plenty of drama of our own with rare memorabilia from some of Hollywood’s biggest movies, some stunning valuations and a drink at The Queen Vic with two of the Square’s most famous residents.” 

Producer Jan Waldron said: “We were delighted to have the opportunity to celebrate the world of show business and chose a location synonymous with the history of television. To film a special Antiques Roadshow on the normally closed set of EastEnders was a tremendous privilege in our 40th year.

“We had some remarkable finds from film, television and the music industry which provide an insight into the entertainment world and let us revel in a bit of nostalgia along the way.

“Our guests brought along an eclectic mix of items – some from chance encounters with the stars, others from working behind-the-scenes in the industry and we even had some devoted fans with unexpected mementoes.”

The Antiques Roadshow Special goes out on Sunday 31st Dec, 8pm, BBC One.