Judith Miller dead: Antiques Roadshow expert dies aged 71 after short illness as tributes paid to her ‘energy & spirit’

ANTIQUES Roadshow expert Judith Miller has died aged 71 with tributes flowing to her "energy and spirit".

The author and antiques expert passed away over the Easter weekend following a short illness, her publisher confirmed.

Judith joined the beloved BBC show in 2007, as well as co-hosting The House Detectives for the corporation and Antiques Trail on ITV.

She also appeared on TV screens when she represented her alma mater, the University of Edinburgh, on the famous alumni edition of University Challenge.

Her career in the field of antiques spanned more than 30 years after she developed an interest in rare objects during her childhood in Galashiels in the Scottish Borders.

In 1979, she co-founded Miller's Antiques Price Guide with her first husband Martin Miller and was working on an updated edition of the guide at the time of her death.

In addition to her TV work, she contributed to various magazines, wrote more than 100 books on antiques and lectured extensively, including at the Victoria and Albert Museum in and the Smithsonian in Washington DC.

She also worked as an antiques consultant on her daughter Cara's debut novel, entitled 'The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder', which is set to be published in early 2024.

Alison Starling, from the 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 unintimidating to all.

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

She added that Judith made "long-standing friendships" at the company.

These were "forged through topics of conversation as diverse as work, family, dogs, Scottish rugby and her other passion, Bruce Springsteen".

Tributes poured in from Judith's co-stars and colleagues.

Antiques Roadshow presenter Fiona Bruce said: "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.

"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."

Series Editor Robert Murphy added: "Judith was a really popular member of the Roadshow team and an inspiration to a generation of aspiring antiques experts.

"Judith brought so much warmth and good humour to the show...she was also unfailingly kind and patient behind the scenes.

"We've lost an immensely knowledgeable expert, a passionate advocate for antiques and a much-loved member of our team."

Judith leaves behind her husband John Wainwright, three children and four grandchildren.