A Wiltshire-based Antiques Roadshow expert has paid tribute to his pet cat – who died after appearing on the opening credits of the show for years.
Minou was best known for rushing across the screen at the start of the BBC show – making a Greek-looking vase wobble.
The feline was owned by TV antiques expert Marc Allum and was put to sleep by a vet on 2 March after suffering deteriorating health aged nearly 17.
Not only was Minou a famous face on TV but he was also a popular face in his hometown of Chippenham, Wiltshire.
He was often found sitting on the wall of his home – obtaining much-wanted attention from passersby throughout the day.
Marc said Minou, affectionately known as Minty, was rescued as a small kitten in France.
He added: “He was the most beautiful cat.
“He became a symbol of how people like us who collect, live with an inquisitive creature who could meticulously and artfully wind his way through collections of 18th-century glass or ancient vases.
“In fact, that’s why he was featured. My life has been peppered with endless anecdotal accounts of cats that had broken family heirlooms.
“Minty never did and on the day we filmed him the vase had a fishing wire tied to it as we tempted him through the maze of items with cat treats.
“He’ll be massively missed.
“He was a wonderful one-in-a-million cat who was well known in our town of Chippenham, always sat on the wall affectionately relating to the many passers-by, and watched by millions on a Sunday night.”
I’m saddened to hear that the Antiques Roadshow cat Minou, probably Wiltshire’s most famous feline, has died aged 17. My strolls past his home in Chippenham will never be the same — I will miss giving him lots of attention. RIP. ♥️ @Marc_Allum pic.twitter.com/AevRsFIQbs
— Daniel Jae Webb (@DanielJaeWebb) March 2, 2023
