star Natasha Raskin-Smith has revealed that she was left in a state of “utter disbelief” during a life-changing chat with bosses.
The Scottish broadcaster, who made her debut on the long-running series in 2014, felt she was never going to be given the opportunity to host the long-running series after her amateurish attempt during her first appearance on the show.
“With equal clarity, I can recall my first day as a Bargain Hunt expert,” she said.
“I was shown around the antiques fair, made to feel very welcome and asked to compete against one of the programme’s most respected experts, Paul Laidlaw, as part of a beloved daytime competition that would soon be watched by millions of people both at home and abroad.
In the excerpt from Bargain Hunt: The Spotter’s Guide to Antiques by Karen Farrington, she continued: “Running on pure adrenaline, I was (easily) convinced by the blue team – two farmers – that buying a modern-day plough was a sensible idea.
‘That I’ be asked back by the producers felt improbable,’ said Natasha (Image: BBC)
“I seriously doubted the wisdom of that particular purchase but, as it transpired, there really was no need to stress; it turned a fantastic profit and sealed our victory over Paul and his reds. What a debut?!”
However, because she was essentially blagging it, Natasha didn’t feel confident about a future in the series.
“That I would be asked back by the producers for a second attempt felt improbable at the time,” she admitted. “Had I been told then that I would be co-presenting the programme just two years later, I would have displayed utter disbelief.
“In fact, I don’t think I did believe the programme’s long-serving Executive Producer, Paul Tucker when he called in 2015 to break that news. ‘Surely not?’ seemed like the only appropriate response.”
Since then, Natasha has spent more than a decade cajoling contestants to aim high and broker lucrative deals so that they may walk away from the show with a coveted golden gavel.
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Natasha views a unique Japanese vase made by renowned Japanese artist Kumeno Teitaro (Image: BBC)
As well as serving as an expert and one of the main presenters of Bargain Hunt, 38-year-old Natasha has made notable contributions to the likes of , Flog It! and the now-defunct Baggage Battles.
The antiques expert recently celebrated the birth of her daughter with TV producer husband, Joe Sharp.
They had met on the set of Antiques Roadshow, where Joe was working as a producer and director. Although they keep their personal life out of the spotlight for the most part, she occasionally offers some insight into their romance.
Natasha announced the arrival of the couple’s first child in January, sharing a photo of Jeans tiny hand wrapped around hers.
After returning to work, she told her Radio Scotland listeners: “I should say that I needed those five weeks off to prepare for and adjust to my new life as a mum.
“Joe and I have welcomed a little baby into the world and she’s just the best.”
Bargain Hunt airs on One on weekdays from 12.15pm while you can catch Antiques Road Trip on weekdays at 3.45pm on Two.