THE Royal Pavilion will feature in a BBC television show tomorrow night.

Celebrity Antiques Roadtrip follows two celebrities and two antiques experts as they travel around a region of the UK to find treasures to auction and to learn more about the area’s history.

As part of this Thursday’s programme on Sussex, comedian Shappi Korsandi visited the Pavilion in Brighton with antiques expert Charles Hanson to find out about its role as a hospital for Indian soldiers during the First World War.

Soldiers from across the empire came to fight in support of the British cause throughout the war and the Indian army provided the largest number of troops – by the end of 1914 they made up almost a third of the British Expeditionary Force.

In 1914 the Royal Pavilion, the Dome and the Corn Exchange were converted into a medical facility in less than two weeks to care for the thousands of Indian soldiers who had been wounded on the battlefields of the Western Front.

The Great Kitchen became one of two operating theatres, and 600 beds were set up in new wards.

During the show Shappi interviewed Davinder Dhillon, chairman of the Chattri Memorial Group, and Kevin Bacon, curator of the Indian Hospital gallery at the Royal Pavilion.

Mr Bacon said: “It’s always great when people discover the history of the Royal Pavilion and we were really happy to take part.

“We talked about the Indian Hospital, the glorious interior of the Royal Pavilion and how important the building is to the city.

“Shappi and Charles were a lot of fun and were fascinated by their trip to the Pavilion. They ended up playing quoits in the Royal Pavilion garden. ”

Former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq also visited Hove County Cricket Ground for the show to learn about the history of the sport.

Councillor Alan Robins, chairman of the city council’s tourism, equalities, communities and culture committee, said: “It’s fantastic the story of the Indian hospital at the Royal Pavilion will reach a wide audience on BBC2 on such a popular and fun programme.

“Our city extended a welcome to injured soldiers from India who fought in World War One and the Royal Pavilion played a vital part in our city’s wartime history.”

Catch the Celebrity Antiques Roadtrip on BBC2 tomorrow evening at 7pm.