Bargain Hunt: The Spotter's Guide to Antiques

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Rounders in the park, pitch-and-putt at the golf course, walking in the Lakes, hi-jinks at the pool, that’s happy me. Amid her role on screen, the Bargain Hunt star has previously admitted she prefers spending time with her family away from her career on TV. Since 1995, antiques expert Philip Serrell has owned one of Worcestershire’s top auction houses: Philip Serrell Auctioneers, based in Malvern.

Bargain Hunt expert Paul Laidlaw Paul Laidlaw wife: Who is Bargain Hunt expert Paul Laidlaw

It can be a bit hit and miss with me though, and the children love reminding me of my disasters in the kitchen! A memorable purchase is a fabulous still life of apples by a very talented artist friend of mine, Kim Williams. It’s presumed that the show’s antique pros do get a salary of sorts, or a one-off fee each time they appear on the show – but it’s not clear just how much. So many traditional dealers impart their knowledge and enthusiasm to the next generation, and so the tradition continues.I’m always learning in this business and it’s very rewarding to be able to impart a few tricks of the trade or some history to those who have only just started learning. Charmingly eccentric, Charles’s on-screen antics coupled with his extensive knowledge and expertise have made him a household name.

BBC One - Bargain Hunt, Series 50, Wetherby 18, A touch of BBC One - Bargain Hunt, Series 50, Wetherby 18, A touch of

They are always up for such fun and although they arrive with great tactics, these seem to go out the window pretty quickly. Anita explained: "But fate put the opportunity in my path and being an adventurous sort of gal I changed direction and set up Great Western Auctions with my daughter Lala in Glasgow in 1989, becoming one of Scotland's first woman auctioneers. Sometimes, I look at the contestants standing next to me in the blue or red fleeces, and I just want to run around kissing everyone and shouting, “I’m on Bargain Hunt! Antiques expert and artist David has been appearing on TV antiques shows since 2005, first appearing on Channel 4’s Natural Born Dealers. Kate Bliss has become a well-known face on Bargain Hunt as she helps the red and blue teams find antique treasures to sell for profit at auction.

Opening up to the BBC about what he likes to do when he is away from the show, Laidlaw said: "When I’m not being an antiques anorak all I want to do is have fun with my family. It felt a little steep for a dirty old scrapbook until I flicked to the back pages, which had 21 wartime single sheet football programmes neatly stuck onto them, and I quickly realised it was a bargain. Bargain Hunt host Tim Wonnacott , 62, recently stepped down after being suspended over bullying claims. I did not start my working life aiming to be an auctioneer or be involved in the Antiques trade (in fact sometimes I still wonder what I'm going to be when I grow up).

BBC One - Bargain Hunt

David began his career in 2005 working for Channel 4's Natural Born Dealers before going on to appear on other TV programmes such as Ready Steady Cook, Through the Keyhole and more. Charles is a registered surveyor and an auctioneer – first joining Bargain Hunt as an expert in 2002.On top of running the company, Laidlaw regularly appears on Celebrity Antiques Roadtrip and Flog It! He’s perhaps best known among TV fans for his love of scarves, which he seems to wear in every episode.

BBC One - Bargain Hunt - Next on BBC One - Bargain Hunt - Next on

He wrote: ‘Cast your mind back to about November of 1999, I was asked to record the very first Bargain Hunt that they ever recorded. During the filming of a Bargain Hunt episode at the saleroom where I was auctioneering, I was approached by the production team. I snatch short bursts of ‘me time’, usually early in the morning in the week, when I exercise, running with our loopy labrador or doing pilates. I love the Builth Wells Antiques Fair - it’s fairly close to home for me and set amongst the gorgeous mid Wales hills, but Westpoint at Exeter is also a great fair with lots of variety. Expert Stephanie began her love of antiques as a child – when she became obsessed with collecting stamps aged 10.Back in November 2020, the antiques expert took to Twitter to reveal that he was saying goodbye to the show which was met with plenty of disappointed messages from fans. I used to collect loads… football programmes, toys, vinyl, ceramics, but I tend to spend my money on the kids instead of me these days. Roo is another of the show’s many experts, gracing a number of antiques and property shows in addition her work on Bargain Hunt. I will never forget turning up on my first shoot in my high heels feeling very proud in my new suit but the fair we were filming at was outdoors and it rained the entire weekend.