And, as the Lynn News revealed on Friday, it also turned out to be a special day for taxi driver Simon Rust who drove presenter Fiona Bruce to the 15th century moated manor house – then came to her rescue in the wet conditions.

On arriving at the historic venue, the show's new host realised her open-toed shoes could not cope with the summer deluge and Mr Rust (35), of Clenchwarton, drove ten miles to Downham to buy her a pair of Wellington boots and socks so the show could go on.

He said: "I bought a blue pair of boots with raindrop patterns on and a pink pair of socks. She was very, very happy with them. She was lovely, a really nice person and chatted to me most of the way. It was great to have a star in the car."

They returned to Oxburgh Hall, Oxborough, to find hundreds of people queuing through the entrance gate and along the shingle path to the hall to register their items.

It was still pouring with rain and people were sheltering under a sea of umbrellas.

Possessions being taken along for the show's experts to examine and value were kept covered from the rain and under people's arms. They included paintings, ceramics, glassware, crockery, watches and bigger items such as tables and chairs.

After registering, visitors were given a coloured ticket to see the appropriate expert. Among the familiar faces waiting to analyse their items were David Battie, Paul Atterbury and Hilary Kay.

The weather enforced a few changes for the BBC crews, who had to move the various stands under a giant marquee instead of having parasols dotted around the lawns for the experts.

Fiona Bruce's presence brightened up the day for many of the visitors, who rushed up to greet her, pose for photographs alongside the familiar newsreader and seek her autograph.

One of the visitors said: "At one point, Fiona was on the desk helping give the tickets out and she was happily chatting and signing autographs. She was very friendly and approachable."

An Antiques Roadshow spokesman said there were about 1,500 people calling in between 9.30am to 4.30pm for free advice and valuations from some of Britain's leading antiques and fine arts specialists and filming continued until 7pm.