Bargain Hunt stars’ dramatic lives revealed – shock exit to ‘secret’ baby and tragic deaths
Bargain Hunt[1] has been a popular show with viewers since its inception in 2000, with episodes still airing on BBC One today.
Over the years, it has seen many antiques experts welcomed into the fold to advise the show’s contestants who are challenged to buy antiques from shops or a fair and then sell them in an auction for a profit.
But, behind the scenes, there have been plenty of dramas in the lives of the antiques experts, from previous host Tim Wonnacott, to Eric Knowles, Roo Irvine, Natasha Raskin Sharp and Charles Hanson.
From a shock show axing to ‘secret’ baby and tragic deaths, OK! takes a look at the lives of the Bargain Hunt experts…
Tim Wonnacott
Tim Wonnacott left Bargain Hunt in 2015 after reportedly being suspended (Image: Channel 4)
Auctioneer Tim Wonnacott, 73, was one of the stars of Bargain Hunt from 2003 to 2015. Things came crashing down for him in 2015, when he stepped down from the show came after he was reportedly suspended following an alleged disagreement with producers.
A source at BBC Bristol, which makes the show, said: “I’ve always found him fine to work with. But some staff on Bargain Hunt[2] have been unhappy and made a complaint.
“The word bullying has been used and the BBC has to take these things seriously and check them out.”
The BBC officially announced Tim’s departure from the show in November 2015, with Tim releasing his own statement which read: “I am pleased to have been part of Bargain Hunt for so many years and have thoroughly enjoyed every one of my, roughly, 1,200 programmes hunting out bargains with the contestants. Alongside continuing to voice Antiques Road Trip for the BBC, I look forward to developing new programme ideas.”
OK! has contacted Tim’s reps for comment.
Eric Knowles
Eric Knowles faced tragedy in the family with the death of his son (Image: BBC)
Eric Knowles[3] has been a regular on our TV screens for many years, having found fame on Antiques Roadshow[4] before joining the team at Bargain Hunt[5]. He’s also appeared on shows such as Clash of the Collectables, Restoration Roadshow and Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.
Eric has been married to his wife Anita Knowles[6] for many years. Anita, 64, works as the company secretary for their business, Eric Knowles Antiquarian Services Limited.
The Knowles family reside in Buckinghamshire. Eric and Anita welcomed two sons, Oliver and Sebastian, together. Tragically, Seb died at just 26 years old in 2015.
He passed away after his Mercedes collided with a lorry on the M40 in Buckinghamshire. Seb worked as a DJ, having supported the Wycombe Wanderers, and played gigs around London under the name DJ Sparky B. He had worked with big names like Ultrabeat and The Artful Dodger and also had a weekly radio slot on Time FM before he made the move in 2013 to Wycombe Sound.
Roo Irvine
Roo Irvine is very popular on Bargain Hunt (Image: (Image: BBC ))
Bargain Hunt’s[7] Roo Irvine has been stealing the show with her expert antique knowledge and quirky style since she first appeared on our screens in 2018.
Before becoming a telly treasure hunter, Roo, who is actually named Arusha, was working her way up in marketing. However, she heartbreakingly lost two family members in a short space of time in 2013[8] – leading to the star re-evaluating life and her career.
Roo was left devastated when her father suddenly passed away, followed shortly by the death of her father-in-law. The star, 32, opened up about her sorrow on her website, stating: “Kilcreggan Antiques came about quite by (bad) luck when suddenly, and unexpectedly, in 2013, my wonderful Dad passed away. I was heartbroken and devastated.”
“Then, just three weeks later, my husband Mark also lost his father to a long battle with cancer.”
She went on: “We walked away from our senior corporate jobs and focused on taking care of our widowed mothers.”
“I’d always loved antiques and had developed a keen eye, so my husband suggested we ‘go for it’ and Kilcreggan Antiques was born. Out of some of my darkest days came a sliver of light. Fate? “.
Natasha Raskin-Sharp
Natasha Raskin Sharp announced she’d become a mother in January 2024, after keeping her pregnancy a secret (Image: BBC Studios)
Natasha shocked her fans when she announced in January 2024 that she’d given birth to a baby[9], after keeping news of her pregnancy a total secret.
The 37 year old took to social media to announce the news as she shared a snap of her newborn’s tiny hand placed in hers, and wrote: “What a way to start the year – the last few days have been nothing short of immense [love heart emoji].
“I’ll be handing over my Thursday night @bbcradioscot duties to the excellent @ravisagoogram for a short spell – thanks, Ravi. Catch him from 10pm on @bbcsounds.
“In the meantime, there’ll be lots of new #bbcbargainhunt and @antiqueroadtrip action (filmed when baby was a mere bump).Back soon! X”
Charles Hanson
Charles was arrested last year after police were called to reports of a domestic incident at his home (Image: Jacob King/PA Wire)
Charles, who has appeared on a number of BBC shows including Bargain Hunt and Antiques Roadshow, will stand trial next year[10], after he was accused of assault and coercive behaviour[11].
Police were called to a domestic incident in June at the £1.5million family home in Derbyshire that Charles had shared with his wife and their two children since 2014.
Charles, who has appeared on a number of BBC shows including Bargain Hunt and Antiques Roadshow, was charged with several offences, which include assault causing actual bodily harm, and controlling and coercive behaviour, as well as two counts of assault by beating.
He has since pleaded not guilty on all charges[12] after appearing in court early this year. He will now stand trial on 10 February 2025 at Derby Crown Court.
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References
- ^ Bargain Hunt (www.ok.co.uk)
- ^ Bargain Hunt (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Eric Knowles (www.ok.co.uk)
- ^ Antiques Roadshow (www.ok.co.uk)
- ^ Bargain Hunt (www.ok.co.uk)
- ^ married to his wife Anita Knowles (www.ok.co.uk)
- ^ Bargain Hunt’s (www.ok.co.uk)
- ^ heartbreakingly lost two family members in a short space of time in 2013 (www.ok.co.uk)
- ^ given birth to a baby (www.ok.co.uk)
- ^ stand trial next year (www.ok.co.uk)
- ^ he was accused of assault and coercive behaviour (www.ok.co.uk)
- ^ pleaded not guilty on all charges (www.ok.co.uk)
- ^ Learn more (www.ok.co.uk)
- ^ Sign up for Disney+ today (go.skimresources.com)
- ^ 12 months for the price of 10 (go.skimresources.com)