BEING asked to host Antiques Roadshow was a dream come true for Fiona Bruce. But she admits that she still has one unfulfilled ambition — to be a rock star!

“I sang in rock bands when I was at university in Oxford and dyed my hair blue!” she laughs. “David Bowie was my big hero. But a few years ago I did a duet with soul legend Alexander O’Neal for the BBC talent series Just The Two Of Us and I was shockingly bad. I was paralysed by self-consciousness. So I think that is one ambition that will remain unfulfilled!”

But Fiona, 44, who took over from Michael Aspel as the new host of The Antiques Roadshow this year, reckons she has one of the best jobs in television.

“The Roadshow is a hugely successful programme with a big audience and lovely locations — it doesn’t really get any better than that,” she smiles. “It was something that I always wanted to do but I never mentioned it to anybody because I just thought, ‘Why would anyone give it to me?’ Then, when I was asked to do it I was amazed. And, I have to say, that I am loving it.

“Michael Aspel did it for eight years and, although he really enjoyed it he did warn me that the travelling takes its toll because we go all over the country. But I’ve been able to do it in such a way that I’m usually away for only one night, in order to minimise time away from my kids.”

The news presenter and former host of Crimewatch lives in London with her husband Nigel and children Sam, 10, and six-year-old Mia.

“My children have never been the slightest bit interested in watching me on television,” she laughs. “The only thing that would impress my daughter would be if I had a part in High School Musical! But I did impress Sam a while ago when I was asked to be on Top Gear and I took him along with me — he loves that show.”

Mia was delighted though when Mum brought down from the loft several boxes of her old childhood dolls.

“When I joined Roadshow, the editor asked me if I had any antiques or collectables that I wanted to take onto the programme to have valued,” Fiona says. “I replied that I have some antique furniture at home and some old paintings but the only collection I had was of dolls.

“My father travelled all over the world on business when I was a girl and he used to bring me back a doll in national costume, representing each country.

“The editor persuaded me to take them onto the show to have them valued, even though I knew they weren’t worth anything. But I was surprised by how excited I got when I started showing them to collectables expert Hilary Kay. All the old memories came flooding back as each doll came out of its box. I was only supposed to show a few but I kept getting out more and more, becoming increasingly excited! I had three boxes of them and I reckon I have about 40 dolls in total.

“But I did burst out laughing when she asked that question that they always ask, ‘Have you ever thought of having them insured?’ They are worthless but mean a lot to me because each one reminds me of a particular time and place. They brought back memories of my father and how much I loved these dolls.

“I was really excited when I showed them to Mia for the first time. But then I thought we had better put them back in the loft in case she broke them. Mia agreed and said that she would look at them again when she was a grown up, too, which was sweet. But she’ll probably do that and then chuck them away!”

Fiona’s other most valued possession is a Victorian opal engagement ring that was passed onto her via her grandmother and mother.

“My grandmother died when I was 16 so the ring has enormous sentimental value for me,” she says.

Presenting the Roadshow has given Fiona a welcome chance to show the more relaxed, fun side to her nature.

“The thing about doing news is that it is quite a constraining format. I mean, I’m a firm believer in having a laugh while you are working but you have to be serious when you are on screen reading the news or doing Crimewatch.

“I presented Crimewatch for eight years and some of the content of the programme did make me feel depressed and would often bring a tear to my eyes,” she says. “I enjoyed doing the show but it’s nice to be able to do something completely different like The Antiques Roadshow, which is just so lovely. Some of the show’s presenters have stayed with it for many years and I am enjoying it so much that I also want to stay with it.

“It’s been going for over 30 years and the audience doesn’t watch it for the presenter. They watch it to see the objects and to listen to the experts. 

“I have always enjoyed watching the programme. I like hearing the stories behind the antiques, some of which are fascinating. And then, of course, there are the wonderful moments when someone finds out that something is worth a fortune. Those are golden telly moments.”

Fiona’s fun side is also evident in her reaction to the comic impersonations that Jan Ravens does of her reading the news in the BBC comedy show Dead Ringers.

“I think she is hilarious! I remember the very first time I saw her doing an impression of me. I was sitting at home with my husband when she did it and I nearly fell out of my chair with shock! I had no idea she was going to do it. 

“Then, once I was at a party to celebrate 50 years of BBC News, when I heard somebody who sounded just like me. I thought, ‘That’s weird,’ and when I looked over I saw Jan talking into a microphone impersonating me. So I went over and started heckling her!”