Going, going, gone!
- Publication: Liverpool Echo
- Date: 1992-01-23
- Author:
- Page: 29
- Language: English
WANT to look like Russ Abbott's version of Robin Hood? What about a Maplins Yellowcoat, or a Skonnon Guard from Dr Who circa 1979? Or perhaps you fancy shocking the office in a silver jumpsuit once worn by Paul Daniels?
Tomorrow, some 30,000 costumes from the BBC come under the hammer in Britain's biggest auction of costumes. And it could forever solve the dilemma of what to wear to that fancy dress party!
The Beeb's wardrobe department has lost more than 15,000 sq. ft. of floorspace in a warehouse to the production team. So it's 'goodbye' to a lot of their costumes.
Most television companies extend the life of an outfit by re-dyeing and re-trimming. But some—like the three-headed monster costume worn in a Blackadder sketch — could not be revamped.
Deciding what must go and what must stay was a tough decision for the BBC's costume stock manager.
Richard Croft admits that it was necessary to "bid a reluctant farewell" to some old favourites that were either under-used ... or over-exposed. The massive sale represents a third of the items stored in wardrobes by the BBC. It's a collection of garments spanning Roman and medieval times to the futuristic sets of Blake's 7.
Almost 400 lots are expected to be sold off—with some going for as little as £1.
Items up for grabs tomorrow include Greek style tunics from Pericles, including those worn by Amanda Redman: the black gown worn by Warren Mitchell for The Merchant Of Venice; dresses worn by Glenda Jackson in Elizabeth R and sailor's trousers from The Onedin Line.
More bizarre items include 32 lots from Dr Who—including the Kryon outfit worn by Faith Brown. There's also the cream dress encrusted with pearls worn by Rik Mayall in Blackadder, plus Hi-De-Hi yellowcoats and a jacket made for the tallest man in Britain.
There are also a couple of Scottish outfits from the Russ Abbott Show and a pair of large feet — as worn by Kenny Everett.
Almost 200 fancy dress outfits are also up for auction, including a tomato ketchup bottle and barrel, a gold worm, a bird costume, blue and green metallic material dragon costume and caveman and cavewoman outfits.
BBC Television Costume Sale (auction by Bonhams) at l1am, BBC Costume Warehouse, Unit 4, Royal London Estate, North Acton Road, London W3.
Caption: Your chance to dress up like the stars
Spelling correction: Skonnan
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- APA 6th ed.: (1992-01-23). Going, going, gone!. Liverpool Echo p. 29.
- MLA 7th ed.: "Going, going, gone!." Liverpool Echo [add city] 1992-01-23, 29. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: "Going, going, gone!." Liverpool Echo, edition, sec., 1992-01-23
- Turabian: "Going, going, gone!." Liverpool Echo, 1992-01-23, section, 29 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Going, going, gone! | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Going,_going,_gone! | work=Liverpool Echo | pages=29 | date=1992-01-23 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=8 October 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Going, going, gone! | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Going,_going,_gone! | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=8 October 2025}}</ref>
