TV presenter Fiona Bruce seemed a bit startled by a spectacular find during the filming of Antiques Roadshow, which she labelled as a “bit of plastic”.

The pricey article was in fact an original TIE (Twin Ion Engines) fighter pilot helmet from the set of the 1977 Star Wars film directed by George Lucas.

In this episode, which airs tonight at 8pm, Ms Bruce explains that their antiques experts valued the helmet at between £40-50,000.

Shocked by the valuation, she casually taps the cherished find and exclaims “for this bit of plastic”.

The classic BBC programme was filmed from Chenies Manor in Buckinghamshire and shows collector of Star Wars memorabilia, Stephen Lane, describing how he travels around the world hunting down props and prized material.

The helmet, he said, was “buried in the attic with one of the senior crew members of the film who was gifted it” and is understood to be one of only 12 made.

“I paid a few thousand pounds for it. I’m certainly prepared to say that. I’ve just owned it for a few years now.”

Ms Bruce, 50, added: “I think to anyone that’s not in your world [its value is] astonishing… but it’s a great bit of kit.”