A Bolton man tried to hold back tears after auctioning off Buzzcocks memorabilia that he owned for more than 43 years.
The man, known only as Kevin, appeared on Channel 4 show The Greatest Auction on Tuesday (May 9).
He wanted to sell the collection, which included a rare version of the album Another Music in a Different Kitchen, for around £3,000.
It wasn’t easy for Kevin who held back tears at the thought of parting with the items produced by the band, which was formed in Bolton.
He said: “I started collecting it because they were the band at the time that I was into.
“I ended up having a lot of time with the manager and band itself.
“I used to bunk off college at dinner times. Every Friday afternoon I used to go to the Buzzcocks and have a brew with them.
“When I look at my Buzzcocks memorabilia it reminds me of the happiest time of my life.”
Kevin said he decided to sell the items as his family do not understand how valuable it all is.
He said: “Any true Buzzcocks fan will know what [the collection] is all about, especially now Pete Shelley has passed away.
“My children don’t recogonise the value in it. I think it could have ended up on a car boot sale.
“It will be hard to part with it today and I get a bit emotional about selling it. I would like it to go to a collector.
“If I sell it for the price I have asked I will be happy to let it go.
“Any below that I will be struggling as it has been a massive part of my life.”
The collection went under the hammer, selling for Kevin’s reserve price of £3,000 to a bidder on the phone, who is also from Bolton.
Kevin can be seen holding back tears once the sale is confirmed.
He said: “I’m happy, it’s right. There is just a bit of a ‘thing’ in my heart.”
Reflection on the show host AJ Odudu said this was one of the most emotional moments on the show for her.
She said: “The more I chatted to him about this collection of album memorabilia, posters, badges, tickets, the more I wondered why he was selling them.
“I kept wanting to tell him he didn’t need do it and I'd give him the money, but I think for him, he just really wanted to let go of it.
“He wanted to see it in the hands of someone else who appreciated that collection.
“He said that if he left it to his kids, they'd end up selling it for a fiver at the car boot sale, so he had to let go of it before that day comes.
“He was so emotional about it. And I remember thinking, ‘Oh, my gosh, I'm sat with this man crying’, and now we’re both crying over Buzzcocks memorabilia.”
Buzzcocks is a punk rock band that formed in the ‘70s. Some of their songs include Fast Cars and Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve).
Original members include Howard Devoto, Steve Diggle, John Maher and Peter Shelley.
The Greatest Auction airs Tuesdays at 8pm on Channel 4 from May 9 2023.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here