TV antiques expert Kate Bliss has been a familiar face on TV for many years and helped find some bargains to flip for a profit. Currently, she’s helping the red and blue teams on Bargain Hunt at auctions with her impressive knowledge for years.
The 49-year-old antiques expert made her TV debut on the popular show after being spotted by the crew of Bargain Hunt.
She has since appeared on other daytime shows including Flog It! and Secret Dealers, along with presenting Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.
Away from TV, she has an eye for jewellery and silver and is part of the fancy Great Britain Gemmological Association. But what else do we know about her life outside of TV?
Early life and career of Kate Bliss
Auctioneer Kate Bliss has become a popular face on Bargain Hunt and other BBC daytime shows (Image: BBC)
Born in Herefordshire, Kate studied English literature and fine art before deciding on a career in antiques.
She started off her working life at her father’s valuation and auction business. Kate previously recalled how much of an influence her father had on her career.
Kate said: “My father had his own saleroom when I was growing up so I started rummaging for treasure and sitting on the auctioneer’s rostrum, from an early age.
“I think a lot of the antiques business is in the blood. So many traditional dealers impart their knowledge and enthusiasm to the next generation, and so the tradition continues.”
“My father certainly taught me how to auctioneer and command the room.”
Once her career in antiques was well-established, she started working alongside some of her Bargain Hunt co-stars. She joined Philip Serrell’s auction business before starting work in association with Charles Hanson’s business.
When her family started to grow and she became a mother to two children, she started her own fine art valuation company.
How Kate Bliss became a ‘novelty’ and her TV breakthrough
TV expert Kate Bliss has been on Bargain Hunt for many years (Image: BBC)
Kate’s TV debut came after a coincidental run-in with the crew of Bargain Hunt and she has never looked back. She had once been spotted by the camera crew when they were visiting Brightwells auction house, filming an episode.
She told the : “I was the only lady auctioneer at my local saleroom and we were a bit of a novelty back then (it’s going back a bit!), so I was asked to appear on the show as the auctioneer and then quickly followed as an expert.
“I will never forget turning up at 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. I ended up wearing Philip Serrell’s wellies which were 3 sizes too big!”
This sparked further appearances on other daytime series including Flog It!, Secret Dealers, Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.
Is Kate Bliss married?
Auctioneer and Bargain Hunt expert Kate Bliss is happily married with two children (Image: BBC)
Outside of work, Kate married her husband Jonathan in 2005 and they have two children together. In her spare time, she enjoys reading books and watching films as well as exercising with the family dog or doing pilates.
She has a hidden musical talent for playing the piano and used to play as a teenager at Dorstone Parish Church, near where she grew up.
Kate is well-known for helping charities and supports St Michael’s Hospice and the Alzheimer’s Society. Her involvement comes after her grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
On Kate’s website, she talks about her love for old objects: “Born into a successful auctioneering businesses, Kate grew up in the auction world and has always been fascinated by the history and craftsmanship of beautiful objects.”