Bargain Hunt is back on BBC One with auctioneer Mark Stacey as one of the valued experts. He admits he has always been a collector, as a child it was stamps and coins.
Later, he started collecting small silver and works of art, which led to his career as an antiques dealer. He said he could not think of anything else he would rather be doing and
Mark became involved in Bargain Hunt in 2002. After seeing an advertisement in the Antiques Trade Gazette, he was selected for a screen test and passed with flying colours.
Away from the show, he runs Mark Stacey Antiques & Decorative, and his partnership with his colleague Santiago started about 20 years ago. Mark said on his website: “We enjoy sourcing unique and decorative pieces that we hope bring meaning and delight to our clients.
“Our passion takes us to all four corners of the UK and into Europe to find one-off pieces that tell a story.” Here is all we know about Santiago.
Mark Stacey has been collecting since he was a child (Image: BBC)
Santiago started out in a very different career, having studied medicine and trained as an ophthalmologist – or eye doctor.
After working in the profession for over 20 years, Santiago retired to join Mark and became the ‘eyes’ of the business, “able to spot a chip at 20 paces”.
Mark’s website adds: “Through a steep learning curve, recognizing a Ming plate from a Majolica dish he has developed an enjoyment for research.”
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Mark Stacey is one of the Bargain Hunt experts (Image: BBC)
Santiago and Mark sell from Hemswell Antiques Centres, Lincolnshire, and regularly exhibit at a wide range of fairs and exhibitions.
They have appeared at the internationally renowned Battersea Decorative fair, which takes place three times a year.
Mark had an interest in antiques from a young age, enjoying visits to his grandparents in the Welsh valleys and checking the porcelain, furniture and paintings they owned.
Bargain Hunt airs on One on weekdays at 12.15pm