BBC Antiques Roadshow guest emotional at value of dad's Sir Paul McCartney drugs cartoon

WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Antiques Roadshow.

An Antiques Roadshow expert was amazed by an "absolutely contemporaneous" cartoon depicting Sir Paul McCartney's infamous cannabis bust.

While attending a valuation at Crystal Palace Park, expert Hilary Kay encountered a woman who proudly displayed a "really great hand-drawn card".

"This is my dad, and he drew cards for every event of our family's life," she conveyed to the astounded appraiser.

"So there was one of those for every birthday, every Christmas, every Christening, anniversary, you name it.

"And I actually can't remember which birthday this is, because there were so many of them."

The woman also showed off a photograph of her father Pete drawing, expressing to Kay: "That's the essence of my dad. He always drew with a board on his knee like that."

She recounted how her father, who served as a senior customs officer at Heathrow Airport for more than three decades, became known for his creative wit through artwork regularly featured in Heathrow publications.

However, it was a specific drawing resting on the owner's lap that truly captivated the expert's attention.

Sharing the backstory, the guest revealed: "So this is a cartoon my dad drew that relates to a very specific event that I believed happened in January 1984.

"And the story is that Sir Paul McCartney and his wife Linda, at that time, came through Heathrow Airport on their way from Barbados.

"And in Barbados, they had been caught with drugs, with cannabis, I believe.

"So when they came back into Heathrow, my dad's team received a tip-off essentially, saying they thought they were still carrying cannabis and so my dad's team detained them.

"They were interviewed and while Sir Paul was in the interview room, my dad drew this cartoon of what was happening."

Kay responded with disbelief: "You're not serious! So this is absolutely contemporaneous?", to which the guest confirmed "absolutely".

The expert elaborated: "He was in one room being interviewed and your dad was drawing.

"And in turning it over, this is really nice, because it looks like a piece of HMRC note paper, doesn't it?"

"It's got the reference there. So while he was drawing this, Paul McCartney was being interviewed, presumably with his wife.

"And then, how come Paul McCartney has signed it with the current number one at the time in January 1984, Play the Pipes of Peace? Your father, do you think he asked him to sign it?"

"I think he just showed him the cartoon, because that would have been my dad," the guest revealed.

"He would have said 'Hey, look, this is a bit of a tense moment, but this might make you laugh', because that was my dad all over."

As Kay labelled it a "great story", she continued: "All right, so, let's cut to the chase. There was your dad, he was sketching away.

"I wonder if he ever thought that it would be a valuable thing."

The guest pointed out that her father hadn't signed the drawing, explaining: "So that tells me that it was a really quick, scribbly thing that he just did.

So I don't think my dad would have valued it at all."

Kay then went on to conclude: "Well, the market values it. The market values it highly, because it's a very interesting incident in Paul McCartney's career and it's too good a story.

"I think we're talking about at least £2,000 to £3,000."

Overwhelmed by the valuation, the guest responded with an astonished: "Oh my goodness!"

She then covered her mouth with a gasp of "No!", followed by clutching her chest in shock.

Rendered speechless and visibly moved, she let out a light chuckle.

Kay reassured her with encouraging words: "And I hope that your dad would be very proud."

The guest considered this sentiment, nodding: "I think he would and I think he'd be really proud I've done this today", as Kay concluded with a warm commendation: "Well done you."

Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.