From an £800 trinket box to a rusty ice cream fridge that failed to sell, Bargain Hunt has seen thousands of items go under the hammer since its debut on March 13, 2000.
The beloved BBC One antiques game show has become a daytime TV staple, pulling in an average of two million viewers daily and expanding to 186 countries worldwide.
Contestants, split into red and blue teams, have one hour and a £300 budget to buy three antiques at a fair.
Their goal is to sell at auction for the biggest profit—or at least the smallest loss. However, for many, the show is more about the experience than the competition.
Jane Cooke, a former contestant from Cardiff, shared her story: “I watched it every day while I was unwell in 2017. When I got better, my daughter suggested we apply, and I stupidly agreed! We did dreadfully, though—we lost £155.”
Over 10,000 contestants have tested their eye for a deal, but a few stand out.
In 2002, blue team Ally and Diane, with expert Michael Hogben, bought a George Johnson 1908 Royal Worcester flamingo trinket box for £140.
It later sold for £800, earning them a £660 profit—the show’s record. On the other end of the spectrum, expert Tim Weeks and his team bought a rusty vintage ice cream fridge for £60.
At auction, it failed to attract a single bid—not even for 50p. Bargain Hunt has attracted some surprising celebrity fans, including Daniel Radcliffe, Louis Tomlinson, Richard Osman, and Tony Blackburn.
In 2018, the show made headlines when Happy Mondays’ Bez was caught cheating during a BBC Music Day special.
His girlfriend had secretly been bidding on his items, forcing a re-filming of the auction and a victory for Pulp.
A fan-favorite tradition is the Bargain Hunt kick, where contestants, experts, and presenters link arms and kick a leg in the air to end each episode.
The tradition, started by Tim Wonnacott, led to an infamous moment when Danny Sebastian split his trousers mid-kick, caught on camera.
Now, he always carries a spare pair of trousers and a sewing kit—just in case. Unlike many game shows, Bargain Hunt doesn’t offer big cash prizes.
Instead, contestants often celebrate even the smallest profits—especially if they earn the coveted Golden Gavel lapel pin, awarded to those who profit on all three items.
Executive producer Paul Tucker attributes the show’s 25-year success to its simplicity, excitement, and sense of fun: “We constantly refresh the format while staying true to its core. Whether we’re featuring the largest Star Wars collection or historic hankies and tea towels, we make sure every episode connects with our audience.”
With its charm, nostalgia, and unexpected drama, Bargain Hunt remains a daytime TV classic—and shows no signs of slowing down.
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