Bargain Hunt experts’ wages exposed: do the BBC stars get paid?

BBC One series features a rotating roster of experts each week who assist in identifying items that could fetch substantial profits at auction.

Bargain Hunt, which has been airing since 2000, continues to captivate audiences with its competitive format. The Red and Blue teams vie to generate the largest profit from the items they select for auction.

Each team is guided by an antiques trade expert who provides advice throughout the process. The current line-up of experts includes Ochuko Ojiri, Philip Serrell, Stephanie Connell, Thomas Forrester, Kate Bliss, and John Cameron.

While Bargain Hunt’s contestants get to keep the profit they make on their buys, it is unclear what the experts make.

It’s likely that these experts receive some form of remuneration for their involvement in the series, but it is not known whether they earn any money from the items that turn a profit

Bargain Hunt provides each team with £300 to invest in their chosen items, allowing them to retain any profits made. There’s no indication that the experts receive a share of these profits, suggesting that they probably earn their income from a regular salary for each appearance on the show.

One memorable moment from the show’s history occurred in 2013 when Jonathan Pratt sold a chicken tea cosy at auction for £250, having originally purchased it for £85. This remarkable profit is considered one of the most extraordinary in the show’s history.

The item that fetched the highest profit was a miniature teapot discovered by Charles Hanson. This 18th-century teapot fetched an impressive £390,000 at auction.

The unique piece, which was nearly discarded during a lockdown clearout, is an imperial artefact and one of only three known to exist. Charles’s team would have received a substantial sum from the sale.

The experts earn their income primarily through their roles as auctioneers. Charles operates his own auction house, Hansons Auctioneers, with several locations across the country.

Jonathan, on the other hand, was appointed managing director of Dreweatts auction house in August 2018. He began his career studying Fine Arts before working as a furniture porter at Phillips Auctioneers.

Each expert has a specific area of interest, often linked to a particular historical period. They utilise their expertise and passion in these areas to uncover bargains that others might miss.

While the experts may not directly profit from the sales, they derive satisfaction from seeing their team succeed.