Original version

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

Migrated podcast image for: Outlook

Outlook

Factual: Life Stories

True stories of ordinary people and the extraordinary events that have shaped their lives.

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

Outlook: Beautiful things help me deal with my ugly past

Magazines & Reviews

Ronnie Archer-Morgan

16/08/2022 GMT

Beautiful things help me deal with my ugly past

BBC World Service - Outlook, Beautiful things help me deal with my ugly past

Antiques expert Ronnie Archer-Morgan was abused as a child but he found joy in museums

Antiques expert Ronnie Archer-Morgan was subjected to horrendous physical abuse by his mother during his childhood. He would find refuge in museums, music and nature.

Ronnie Archer-Morgan is regularly seen on British TV as an expert on the Antiques Roadshow. He was born in the 1950s to a Sierra Leonean mother with severe mental health problems who subjected him to horrendous physical abuse throughout his childhood. As a way of coping, Ronnie sought pleasure in nature and museums, and developed a keen eye for beautiful things. After spending time in the care system where he thrived, he started DJing, worked as a celebrity hairdresser and lived a vibrant life in London before attempting to reconcile with his mother. He has written a memoir about his life titled 'Would It Surprise You To Know...?'.

Lewis Miller is a floral designer with a difference. He secretly leaves flower arrangements in rubbish bins and other surprising places around New York. He tells Outlook's Tara Gadomski why he likes to give a little something back to the city. This interview was first broadcast in September 2018.

If you've been affected by any of the issues in this episode, you can get help and support at Befrienders Worldwide or through BBC Action Line.

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: May Cameron

(Photo: Ronnie Archer-Morgan. Credit: Romas Foord)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Outlook

Beautiful things help me deal with my ugly past

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

About BBC World Service