THE BBC’s Antiques Road Trip were in Devon last week, snapping up bargains, and one shop they popped into was the Time Flies Antique Shop in Somerset Place, Teignmouth.

The popular, easy on the eye daytime programme, now in its 24th series, sees two teams of antiques experts setting off on a road trip in classic cars, driving around the UK searching for treasures. They are then sold at auction with the winners being the ones who make most profit.

Time Flies owner Tim Taylor was only given 24 hours’ notice he’d be playing a role in the programme, getting the call just the day before.

It wasn’t the first time Tim has been in the limelight. A few years ago he appeared on the Make Me A Dealer antiques programme.

On the day of filming a crew of six turned up, with antiques expert James Braxton dropping by in his classic red Porsche and drawing more than a few glances from passers-by.

Tim said: ‘They sometimes do a celebrity version of the programme but on this day they were filming the “normal” one.

‘Sadly James was on his own as his team partner was visiting the Exeter Caverns that day.’

Even so, James spent a good two and a half hours in the shop trying to drive a hard bargain, but owner Tim wasn’t to prove a complete pushover.

‘I let James knock me down on three items but I stuck to my prices on others and didn’t give in!

‘In the programme they go on to sell the items at auction, but people should remember we traders have had to buy them at auction in the first place... and we still have to make a profit.’

The shop had to be closed while the filming took place and James haggled over the prices, but there’ll be no spoilers from Tim, who’s run the shop for five years – he isn’t revealing what was bought: ‘It’s all part of the fun of the programme,’ he said.

The crew have been spotted out in other locations across the county, including Plymouth, Kingsbridge, Totnes, Ottery Saint Mary, spotting other bargains.

The programme will be broadcast in the new year.