Guinness World Records 70th Anniversary - BBC Breakfast

Today, 27 August 2025, marks the 70th anniversary of the first ever published Guinness World Records book.

To celebrate this we were asked by BBC Breakfast to film with Martyn Tovey and his amazing collection of memorabilia in his Somerset home. We sent a cameraman along to film his cherished collection with Fiona Lamdin.

Martyn owns the largest collection of Guinness World Records memorabilia in the world with 3,064 items in his collection. He also has the largest collection of Guinness World Records annuals with 811.

The Guinness World Records began in 1951 when Sir Hugh Beaver, managing director of Guinness Brewery, had a debate about the fastest game bird in Europe and realised there was no reference book to settle such arguments. He later enlisted twin brothers Norris and Ross McWhirter to compile a book of verified records. The first edition was published on 27 August 1955, and it quickly became a bestseller.

Since then, Guinness World Records has grown into a global authority on record-breaking achievements, with over 150 million books sold in more than 100 countries and 40 languages.

See more on the BBC News website here. Martyn's website can be seen here.

If you need a cameraman to film or capture your event or film your story do contact us. 

The film aired on BBC Breakfast and the News at One. You can see it below.

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