Former Antiques Roadshow presenter Hugh Scully dies aged 72

Former Antiques Roadshow presenter Hugh Scully has died at the age of 72, according to the BBC.

He joined Antiques Roadshow as a presenter in 1981 alongside broadcaster and antiques expert Arthur Negus – co-hosting the show for nearly two decades until he left in 2000 to join an online auction firm.

Scully died while watching television on Thursday afternoon, his son Oliver told the BBC.

Following the news of his death, Leo Devine, Head of BBC South West paid tribute to the “brilliant” presenter.

Scully co-presented the show for nearly 20 years until Michael Aspel took over in 2000.

Sad news – Hugh Scully, veteran presenter of TV including Antiques Roadshow has died.

“Now the time has come when I must pursue my commercial interests which, sadly, are incompatible with my role on the programme”. Hugh was born in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire.

He was married to his wife Barbara for 43 years before she died on back in March 2009.

He told the Falmouth Packet at the time that she was his “best fried and soulmate”.

The newspaper reported at the time the couple had moved to Mawnan in 1993 after the couple “fell in love” with a house they saw located there in Country Life magazine.

Hugh Scully passed away at his home in Cornwall [Five].

Peter Salmon, director of BBC Studios and controller of BBC One between 1997 and 2000, said: “Hugh was a great servant of the BBC for more than 30 years”.