Charlie Ross nearly had very different career before disaster changed everything. (Image: BBC)
Charlie Ross, renowned antiques aficionado of One’s beloved , boasts an impressive past dotted with record-breaking achievements and a foray into unexpected careers.
However, Charlie initially hoped for a career in dentistry. In his autobiography, Sold!, Charlie said he was inspired by his “hero” Uncle Mac, who was one of the country’s most successful dentists with patients including then-Prime Minister .
After completing his A Levels, Charlie applied to study dentistry at university. He said: “I was interviewed at six London hospitals, including King’s College, University College, Guy’s and St George’s.
“Unknown to the school, my inspiration Uncle Mac had a quiet word with each of them and they all duly obliged him by offering me a place to study dentistry as long as I passed the requisite three A Levels – all I needed were three Es.”
In a disastrous turn of events, Charlie failed all his exams and left school feeling “miserable”.
:
Charlie Ross is one of the BBC’s most popular antiques experts. (Image: BBC)
Post-education, Charlie found himself dabbling in real estate before tapping into his true calling when he started auctioning poultry, which paved the way to a celebrated journey in the world of antique furniture, reports .
The esteemed expert launched his own auction house not far from Milton Keynes and became the heralded face behind Pebble Beach Vintage Car Auction in California and Gooding and Companys Scottsdale Auction in Arizona.
His claim to fame soared when a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Prototype was sold for a staggering $16 million on his watch at a 2011 auction, .
, the Bargain Hunt star mused over his enduring stint on the show and swatted away any retirement rumours.
Charlie Ross is best known for appearing on Bargain Hunt. (Image: BBC)
He said: “I think as long as I enjoy it I will carry on doing it, and as long as I am wanted to do it. As long as no one says ‘Who is that boring bugger? We don’t want him anymore’.
“I’m always full of energy so I have no plans to retire. Onwards and upwards. I’m extremely lucky and privileged to be on the show.”
Away from the auction house, Charlie leads a blissful family life with his wife Sally and their two children, Charlotte Macdonald and Olly Ross.
In addition to being a doting father, he also relishes his role as a grandfather to four grandchildren, Finn and Max Macdonald and Ana and Zac Ross.
Since 1981, the esteemed auctioneer has resided near Bicester, just a stone’s throw away from Oxford.