Tim Wonnacott, the bow tie-clad host of Bargain Hunt, led the show for 12 years but has been conspicuously absent from a celebration of the programme, receiving only 20 seconds of airtime in a 45-minute TV special commemorating the show’s silver jubilee next month.
The 73 year old was at the helm of the antiques game show from 2003 to 2015, succeeding the flamboyant David Dickinson. He was a hit with viewers and participated in , as well as making appearances on Top Gear and Ready, Steady, Cook.
Fans were shocked when he abruptly left Bargain Hunt “for personal reasons”.
TV executives stated that the show was “moving in a new direction” with antiques experts taking on the role as hosts instead.
A statement read: “We would like to thank Tim Wonnacott for his dedication to Bargain Hunt over the last twelve-years and for the great expertise that he has brought to the show in that time. Bargain Hunt will be moving in a new direction next year utilising a team of experts who present a number of shows each. Tim continues to work with the on Antiques Road Trip.”
Following his abrupt exit, rumours swirled that a clash with producers and alleged grievances from Bristol staff were the reasons behind his departure.
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Former BBC Bargain Hunt host Tim Wonnacott is still seen at auctions but not often on our TV screens (Image: BBC)
At the time, he simply stated: “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 , I look forward to developing new programme ideas,” reports .
The is set to air 25 Years Of Bargain Hunt next month, featuring familiar faces such as Anita Manning, Philip Serrell, Kate Bliss, Danny Sebastian and Thomas Forrester reminiscing about their top finds and cherished moments from the show’s history.
However, despite his 12-year stint on the show, one television insider claimed that Tim “barely gets a look-in”, receiving a mere 20 seconds of screen time in clips shown during the 45-minute tribute.
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Celebrity Art Expert & Star Of BBC’s Bargain Hunt, Tim Wonnacott (Image: (Image: Getty))
During this brief appearance, antiques expert Thomas Forrester pays homage to his friend, crediting him for ”introducing the dickie bow” and his ”wonderful smile”. He further praises him saying: “He was an expert… and this was without the internet. As a young man I learned so much from him.”
The affable host of the anniversary special, Charlie Ross, gives a nod to Tim for pioneering the iconic Bargain Hunt “high kick” that has become a signature finale move for contestants and experts alike.
Showing clips of Tim as the debutant of the high-flying leg manoeuvre before cutting to scenes of participants adopting the gesture as a regular show-closing gimmick, Charlie informs the audience: “It started with Tim Wonnacott!”
Catch 25 Years of Bargain Hunt on BBC1 on Thursday, March 13