The Greatest Auction

AJ Odudu hosts a programme in which collectors bid for a selection of extraordinary objects. The items up for auction include a pinball machine signed by Elton John, a fork liberated from Saddam Hussein’s palace, and a prototype mid‑century chair.

The show is a television episode presented by AJ Odudu, in which she guides viewers through a live auction that brings together a range of specialist collectors. The format centres on the excitement of bidding, with Odudu acting as the host who introduces each item and facilitates the proceedings. During the broadcast, participants place bids on three particularly unusual pieces. The first is a pinball machine that carries Elton John’s signature, offering a blend of pop‑culture memorabilia and arcade history. The second item is a fork that was taken from the palace of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, providing a tangible link to a notable political era. The final object on offer is a prototype mid‑century chair, representing an early example of modern furniture design. The episode highlights the diversity of the collection community, showing how objects from music, politics and design can attract interest from different enthusiasts. By focusing on the auction itself, the programme provides a straightforward look at how rare artefacts are valued and exchanged, with Odudu’s role keeping the flow clear and engaging for the audience.