Izzie Balmer and James Braxton, renowned experts from the BBC's Antiques Road Trip, have developed quite the lively rivalry, especially during the recent episode aired on February 26, 2025. With both of them tied at 1-1, this week’s competition shifted gears as they ventured to Shropshire for another round of bargain hunting, each equipped with £200 to spend on five items. Their playful banter and friendly competition took center stage as they showed off their unique finds.
On this occasion, Izzie encountered some ups and downs throughout the auctioning process. Previously, James had enjoyed modest success, celebrating a £30.46 profit, whereas Izzie suffered a small setback with her loss of £17.76. But she wasn’t one to back down, and her determination became evident as the challenges unfolded.
During their treasure-seeking mission, James scoured local shops and picked up various items including a bamboo table, mirrored star, wooden box of dyes, enamel advertising sign, and wooden storage box. Meanwhile, Izzie showcased her flair by selecting intriguing pieces such as a garden bench, cast iron ends, Victorian chamber joke pot, William IV mug, travel alarm clock, and Victorian tea pot trio.
The pair made their way back to Glasgow for the third auction of the week, where excitement mounted as James' bamboo table was the first item up for bidding. Unfortunately for James, he encountered disappointment as it ended up incurring a loss of £5. Later, he expressed his disbelief when his advertising sign fetched only £5 profit, stating, "I thought it was gonna fly," yet his hopes were dashed.
Nevertheless, Izzie's garden bench was the highlight of the evening, creating quite the bidding frenzy. The price escalated dramatically, leaving James pleading for it to “stop.” Meanwhile, Izzie cheerfully retorted, “Come on - don’t be like now!” Having purchased the bench for only £35, it astonishingly sold for £120, showcasing Izzie's knack for picking popular items.
James couldn’t help but express his jealousy, commenting, “That had a sort of garden centre feel about the bench.” Zinging back, Izzie defended her prized purchase, insisting, “Don’t be rude about my bench.” This dynamic only intensified the friendly atmosphere as viewers witnessed their chemistry.
But Izzie's victories were just beginning. Adding to her collection of wins, her Victorian tea set fetched a whopping £295 profit, showcasing her talent for the antiques game. Winding down after the auction, she achieved her second win of the week with total profit soaring to £345.19. Meanwhile, James was left trailing with only 51 pence to celebrate.
All profits accumulated throughout the episodes are earmarked for Children in Need, reinforcing the importance of the competition beyond just personal rivalries. Fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming episodes as both experts continue to navigate the tricky waters of auctioning antiques, armed with their unique charm and competitiveness.
Fans can catch the episodes of Antiques Road Trip on BBC iPlayer, where the competitive spirit of Izzie Balmer and James Braxton continues to entertain as they search for antique treasures and market value on this popular show.