Graham Lay
Military antiques expert
About Graham Lay
Lived 1960 – 2016 (aged 56). Graham Lay was an antiquarian seller.
Graham Charles Lay (Willesden, Greater London, UK, 19 January 1960 – 27 November 2016 ) was a British antiques expert specialising in arms, armour, militaria and military history. He was probably best known for his many appearances on BBC TVs Antiques Roadshow , on which he was one of the team of experts from 1988. He was always seen wearing a "Blue Peter" badge.
He appeared as an expert on other BBC TV antiques programmes, such as 20th Century Roadshow, Priceless Antiques Roadshow and Bargain Hunt. In Series 1, episode 6 of 20th Century Roadshow, recorded at Imperial War Museum Duxford, he valued a World War II Spitfire MkIX aircraft at between £1,000,000 and £1,500,000: the highest price for anything ever valued on the show.
Books He contributed to several books such as Antiques Roadshow Collectables, and wrote auction reviews and articles for newspapers and periodicals, including writing for Black Powder, the magazine of the Muzzle Loaders Association of Great Britain.
Personal life Death He died at the end of 2016, having suffered from cystic fibrosis since birth, and he was remembered in the Antiques Roadshow highlights special on 28 December 2016, shown on BBC1.
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Important facts
People in Graham Lay's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Graham Lay's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Graham Lay?
Military antiques expert (1960–2016)
When was Graham Lay born?
Graham Lay was born on 19 January 1960 in Willesden.
When did Graham Lay die?
Graham Lay died on 27 November 2016.
What was Graham Lay's occupation?
Graham Lay was an antiquarian seller.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Graham Lay. https://biography.guide/graham-lay/
MLA: "Graham Lay." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/graham-lay/.
Chicago: "Graham Lay." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/graham-lay/.
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