Dennis spotted 'graffiti' outside a youth centre – it was actually an eye-watering six-figure fortune
Dennis is proof it pays to keep an eye on your surroundings.
Owner of a youth club, that was at the brink of facing closure, Dennis noticed a new piece of 'graffiti' on a doorway just outside.
The work happened to be "one of the most pristine" pieces of Banksy art at the time, an unintended gift worth an eye-watering £403,000 ($835,854) that would save the club.
Banksy's 'Mobile Lovers'. BBC / Nine
In an episode of Antiques Roadshow – which you can stream for free on 9Now – Dennis explained the remarkable events that followed.
"Did you instantly think it was a Banksy?" host Fiona Bruce asked.
Stream episodes of Antiques Roadshow for free on 9Now.
"We drove past it for two days, just seen it and thought 'that's really special, that is'," Dennis recalled.
After stumbling across the piece, Dennis' life changed. BBC / Nine
He explained that soon a "media frenzy" broke out because on Banksy's personal website, the artist verified the artwork and its location.
READ MORE: Sydney woman's shock as she discovers eye-watering value of $30 op shop find
"Of course, you can imagine it went mad from that point".
Luckily, the piece titled 'Mobile Lovers' appeared on an old plank of wood that could be easily unscrewed.
Members of the club removed the artwork and put it on display.
Until Dennis received a surprise letter from the famous street artist himself.
The artist said he doesn't normally verify pieces but he did in this case. Nine
Dennis was shocked and came to the experts at Antiques Roadshow to help evaluate the most modern item the team have ever had to value.
"I need to raise as much money as we can for the club so we can survive," Dennis said at the time.
While difficult to appraise, experts left Dennis with a word of advice: "If you have had an offer of something like £400,000 ($829,632), take it."
Months later, Dennis sold the one-of-a-kind piece.
"It was beyond our wildest dreams," Dennis smiled.
"Once the money was in the bank, we just knew we were safe for our future, we weren't going to close."
Stream episodes of Antiques Roadshow for free on 9Now.
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