One of the presenters of Bargain Hunt has spilled the beans on some of the more personal moments that have occurred during the show’s production.
Since it began in 2000, the BBC programme has seen a variety of hosts guide contestants through the challenge of turning a profit from antiques at auction.
Currently, the presenting team includes Natasha Raskin Sharp, who divulged some behind-the-scenes anecdotes in a book. Her insights are featured in Karen Farrington’s Bargain Hunt: The Spotters Guide To Antiques, which was released in 2022 and has been drawing attention this week.
In her foreword for the book, Natasha touched upon the “broad appeal” of the enduring series, which has had David Dickinson and Tim Wonnacott among its previous hosts. She hinted at the unexpected events that can occur over the multiple days it takes to film each episode, reports the Mirror.
Her contribution to the book reads: “Maybe it’s the very real drama that can unfold. You see, the 45 minutes shown on television represent several days of filming. First, there’s the ‘buy day’, then there’s the ‘auctioneer chat’ and, finally, the auction itself.”
Natasha elaborated in the book’s foreword, revealing: “A lot can happen in that time: there’s been one marriage proposal, a handful of breakups and even a few births between the antiques fair and the auction … you just never know exactly how an episode is going to play out.”
The momentous first ever proposal on the programme Bargain Hunt was televised back in 2018, creating quite a stir among fans. Contestant Tony Chambers popped the question to his partner Alison Cook at Derbyshire’s Kedleston Hall during their joint appearance on the antiques series.
Tony remarked: “I thought doing it on Bargain Hunt would be a brilliant way of capturing it for ever. I worked closely with the production team to make sure everything was in place. This was a one-off opportunity that no one has ever done, and, quite possibly, won’t ever do again. It was a really unique moment.”
Alison, who said ‘yes’, jested saying: “I had a game plan but it was nothing to do with getting engaged on national TV. My plan was to win Bargain Hunt.”
She mentioned before the broadcast: “I was definitely the winner.”
Initially, David hosted Bargain Hunt, until Tim took over as presenter from 2003 up until 2016. Subsequently, the show switched up its format to feature a rotating lineup of presenters, among them Natasha, instead of a single regular host.
In the preface of a book, Natasha penned how taking up the mantle as a host felt like “with a great sense of responsibility”, highlighting the journey she and her fellow hosts embarked on eight years prior.
Bargain Hunt is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.