麻豆社

How do you find life on the road?

A career in the international auction market has taken me literally around the world - from Sydney to San Francisco, so travel is all part of the game. What Bargain Hunt has given me, however, is the opportunity to visit great antiques fairs like Newark, Peterborough, Ardingly and Westpoint, which I have found fascinating and fun.

What is your favourite part of your role?

Giving the contestants a good time, making them feel welcome, relaxed and most importantly having FUN! It is the contestants’ day so you want to make it memorable and enjoyable, so if I see plenty of smiles, I've done my job.

Why did you choose a career in antiques?

My father was an auctioneer, my father-in-law was an auctioneer, my mother-in-law was an antiques dealer. What choice did I have?

What would you do for a living if you weren’t working in the antiques trade?

Something property related. I'd like to say a developer of listed buildings but might confess to being an estate agent!

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to work in antiques?

Give it careful consideration against other professions/trades and speak to as many people in the business first. My son thought he'd give the auction business a try and after university spent a very interesting two years at an international auction house in London working as a porter. He found the product and the people fascinating and loved the thrills and spills of the auction world. However, he found out immediately that the financial rewards are not great when you first start off and can continue that way for some time. My firm take on a lot of school/university students on a work experience placement which is great way to get an insight into the business before making a commitment.

How did you get involved in Bargain Hunt?

I was approached by a former series producer to ask if I would like to try out for the programme as there were one or two possible vacancies. I went through an interview at 麻豆社 Bristol; a location screen test in Peterborough; another one-to-one screen test in my auction room and eventually an invitation to come and make a programme. All the other experts said they went through a much simpler process so I think it must have been me!

Who has been your most memorable Bargain Hunt team?

Well, I've got to say the very first team I lead in Peterborough in 2014; memorable principally due to the look on their faces when I confessed that I didn't know what a “golden gavel” was! It was made even more memorable when we won one on my very first appearance on the show!

What has been your best ever Bargain Hunt find?

A vintage scratch-built green painted toy train c.1930, which cost me all of £5 in Cardiff Antiques Market and went on to sell very well at auction in Carmarthen.

Which fairs do you particularly like shopping at when bargain hunting?

I love being outdoors which is where you will find me rain or shine. I am always amazed by the size of Newark and the wide choice at Peterborough but for intimacy and personality I love Oswestry.

What’s the most profit / greatest loss you’ve made at auction?

I found a gold medal in a cardboard box which I sold for £1 million, and a small lead Henry Moore sculpture I found in a Wiltshire farmhouse made £320,000. Oh yes - I found and sold some old rugby jerseys and photos found in an airing cupboard which I sold for £60,000. But who’s counting!

What is your biggest guilty pleasure?

I occasionally buy myself a copy of VW Campervan Magazine.

How do you spend your free time?

Sport still plays a large part in my life, especially cricket. On quieter summer weekends you will find me playing or umpiring at my club, nestled in the shadows of Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire.

Do you collect anything?

I started with stamps then moved to coins but became hooked on bottles (all by the age of 11). My father bought me a box of Britains lead soldiers which I added to, then sold them all to buy my first house. I built up an impressive collection of postcards which I sold to re-roof that first house. I built up an even better collection of Poole Pottery over twenty years which I sold to pay school fees. My current area of collecting is Wisden Cricketers’ Almanacks, which I will probably sell to finance my nursing home fees!

Why do you think Bargain Hunt has such appeal?

It has a format that is easy to follow and fun to watch. It is a wonderful mixture of game show and education, with an opportunity to learn and laugh. Once you've started watching, it's hard to switch channels as you have to know how much that wonderful/awful brown glazed model of a monkey makes at the auction.

Why would you encourage anyone to appear on Bargain Hunt?

Don't just talk about it, do it! All the contestants I have met say how much fun it was and how glad they were that they made that application.