A HOLLYWOOD actor, a BBC Antiques Roadshow expert and works by some of the world’s most iconic artists will be among the attractions at the 30th Antiques for Everyone show at the NEC this week.

The event opens tomorrow Thursday April 9 and runs until Sunday April 12 and is one of the UK’s longest running and largest antiques and collectable fairs.

Mark Griffin, of Arbatel Antiques, knows the NEC of old as he appeared as ITV’s Gladiator Trojan. He later found fame and fortune in Hollywood acting in the Disney series Action Man and has a new fantasy film in the pipeline.

Mark also collects and deals in 18th century English porcelain and is making his first appearance at the show.

Another familiar face will be Will Farmer, of Moseley, Birmingham, who has appeared on the BBC Antiques Roadshow. He is a director of Fieldings Auctioneers in Stourbridge, is passionate about mid 20th century collectables and will be a celebrity speaker for the first time at Antiques for Everyone. Antiques Roadshow expert and author Judith Miller is also speaking at the fair.

He said: “Over the last 30 years since the fair was established, there have been some big changes and it’s great to see so many young people now getting involved as collectors.

“Fairs are a wonderful way to get started in collecting because they give buyers assurance and confidence as all the items are vetted for authenticity.

“There’s also a huge selection of items under one roof and plenty of time to browse and chat to the dealers who love to share their knowledge.”

Birmingham artist Reuben Colley, who has recently opened his own gallery in the city centre – Reuben Colley Fine Art – and is a newcomer to the show will be showing a selection of fine art including some of his own paintings as well as works by Picasso, Damien Hirst, Lowry and Andy Warhol.

This year the fair is honouring that very British institution of tea drinking, with a rare display of caddy spoons that hold a particular significance to Birmingham.

These quirky little scoops were used to carefully measure out tea when it was first imported into Britain by the East India Company in the 1660s and was a highly sought after luxury commodity.

The tea leaves would be kept under lock and key in tea caddies and would be drunk at social occasions. Birmingham was the largest producer of silver caddy spoons in the UK and the city’s silversmiths in the Jewellery Quarter became famous for their ornate and intricate designs.

Around 500 caddy spoons will be on display, courtesy of the Society of Caddy Spoon Collectors, and some of them are extremely rare.

The Society’s treasurer Brad Hallowes said: “Birmingham was famous for its skilled workers and they were brilliant at bringing together all the key trades.

“During times of war they would switch to arms and weaponry and in peacetime they would produce these amazing caddy spoons.

“There are still many silversmiths in the Jewellery Quarter making and designing spoons for special events such as Royal births and most recently the 2012 Olympics.”

More than 100,000 items will be on sale at the fair including antique and decorative furniture, ceramics, silver, glass, jewellery, works of art, armour, maps, kitchen equipment and an array of vintage and decorative collectables.