TRIBUTES have been paid to a 'much-loved' TV personality from Worcestershire.

Henry Sandon, a former Antiques Roadshow expert, has died at the age of 95, reports said.

He has been a well-known and loved figure across Worcestershire and the UK after he joined the hit TV show in 1979.

Worcester News: Unveiling the Blue Plaque (left to right) Phil Douce, chairman Worcester Civic Society, John Sandon, Sophie Heath, director of the Museum of Royal Worcester, and historian Colin Millett. In front Henry Sandon.The MBE-awarded star has been a patron of the Museum of Royal Worcester and even has a hall named after him.

A Museum of Royal Worcester spokesperson said: "It is with great sadness we share the news that Henry Sandon passed away on Christmas morning.

"Our curator and then patron of the Museum for many years, he was a much-loved expert who shared his knowledge and infectious enthusiasm for pots and Worcester in person, through his books and on TV.

"He will be sorely missed but always remembered here through the collections he cared for, added to, researched, and shared."

Worcester News: ALWAYS BY MY SIDE: Henry and Barbara Sandon, who married at Worcester Cathedral in 1956, celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary at Worcester Porcelain Museum in 2006. 31941103Mr Sandon was married to Barbara for 56 years before her death in 2013, and together they had three sons, David, Peter, and John.

The couple were introduced when Mr Sandon was conducting St John's Choral Society and Mrs Sandon was singing in it.

Worcester News: Identification Day at Worcester Porcelain Museum, Museum patron Henry Sandon identified a very old piece of Worcester..ENDS.Picture by David Griffiths 14102017.Three years later, they were walking down the aisle of Worcester Cathedral.

On their golden wedding anniversary in 2006, they revealed that the secret to their long marriage was that they loved the same things.

Before becoming known nationally for his stint on the show, Mr Sandon was appointed curator of the Dyson Perrins Museum at the Royal Worcester Factory in 1967, a job he says "changed my life".

Worcester News: Mr Sandon on the hit TV show.Mr Sandon on the hit TV show. (Image: SWNS)Mr Sandon became friends with Arthur Negus, the first TV antiques expert, and through an appearance on his show was taken onto the Antiques Road Show.

Earlier this year, Mr Sandon revealed he would sell his collection as he can no longer look after it properly.

He had said it was time to let other collectors enjoy his life's work.

Reflecting on his early days, he had once told Worcester News: "I dug up Roman and Medieval pots in my garden by Worcester Cathedral and was captivated by their history.

"Digging up broken pots led me to attend local auctions and antique shops filled with Worcester porcelain.

"It didn't matter that I could only afford damaged examples of the early pottery I coveted. I knew it was important to buy as much as I could and to hold it and live with it."