Antiques Roadshow star’s ‘fleapit’ home ‘unfit for human habitation’ amid devastating health battle
Antiques Roadshow star Andy McConnell opened up on his 'fleapit' house that was deemed unfit to live in. The 71 year old, who has been a regular on our screens since 2005, shared his plans to renovate his home earlier this year. He said: "I bought it four years ago for £230,000 and it's definitely gone up in value. It was a total fleapit when I bought it and unmortgageable... In fact, the particulars said it was unfit for human habitation so I thought it was just right for me and got £95,000 off the asking price."
Andy continued: "All I've done so far is install a new bathroom and new boiler but I'm planning a complete renovation." Andy began buying and selling antiques when he was just 14 years old, before becoming the only student at his school who paid his own fees.
His expertise ultimately landed him a slot the iconic Antiques Roadshow. Besides appearing on the BBC show, he also teaches about glass and writes for various publications. Fans used to visit Andy's antique and vintage glass shop, Glass Etc, in Rye, East Sussex. But, during the coronavirus lockdown, he had to close it down.
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Before becoming an antiques expert, Andy was a rock and roll journalist in Hollywood. He interviewed many famous bands in the 70s and even made promo videos for rock stars in the 80s. After living the high life for a while, Andy decided to switch to a career in antiques.
At the beginning of this year, Andy gave his fans a health update as he told fans he had emphysema, which is one of the diseases that comprise COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
It develops over time and involves the gradual damage of lung tissue, specifically the destruction of the alveoli (tiny air sacs). According to the NHS, it's a lung illness that weakens the lungs' air sacs and may result in chest infections, a persistent cough, and shortness of breath.
Andy admitted he seriously regrets smoking cigarettes heavily. "As a smoker of 30 cigarettes a day for 50 years, I think cigarettes should cost £500 a packet," Andy told This is Money.
