The dramatic lives of Bargain Hunt stars revealed – from ‘secret’ baby to tragic deaths
With many different experts joining the show in the two decades it’s been on air, there have been many Bargain Hunt stars – and all with their own dramatic lives away from filming.
Tim Wonnacott
Tim Wonnacott was the former host of the show and the original face when it first aired in 2020.
The 73-year-old made a sudden exit in 2015 after what was described as a clash with the production team.
An insider at BBC Bristol, which produces the programme, previously said: “I’ve always found him fine to work with. But some staff on Bargain Hunt have been unhappy and made a complaint.”
Allegations of bullying surfaced prompting a BBC investigation.
In November 2015 Tim’s exit was confirmed, with the presenter adding his own sentiments to fans: “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 BBC, I look forward to developing new programme ideas.”
Eric Knowles
Antiques expert Eric Knowles has been a regular on Bargain Hunt as well as Clash of the Collectables, Restoration Roadshow and Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.
Yet the TV personality has faced heartache after the death of his son in 2015.
Eric, who has two sons Oliver and Sebastian, with wife Anita Knowles faced the devastating loss of Sebastian after a tragic car accident.
Sebastian died following a collision between his Mercedes and a lorry on the M40 in Buckinghamshire.
Roo Irvine
Joining the show in 2018, Roo Irvine has been a fan favourite on Bargain Hunt for her quirky style and eager eye for treasures.
Roo, who’s real name is Arusha, is another Bargain Hunt star who faced grief with the sudden death of two close family members.
In 2013 she lost her father and then her father-in-law, which is when she decided to switch from a career in marketing and to focus on antiques and historical items.
She explained the move on her website: “Kilcreggan Antiques came about quite by (bad) luck when suddenly, and unexpectedly, in 2013, my wonderful Dad passed away.
“I was heartbroken and devastated. Then, just three weeks later, my husband Mark also lost his father to a long battle with cancer.”
She added: “
We walked away from our senior corporate jobs and focused on taking care of our widowed mothers.”
“I’d always loved antiques and had developed a keen eye, so my husband suggested we ‘go for it’ and Kilcreggan Antiques was born. Out of some of my darkest days came a sliver of light. Fate?”
Natasha Raskin-Sharp
Expert Natasha Raskin-Sharp was one of the biggest shocks as she stunned fans in January to reveal she had given birth, whilst keeping news of her pregnancy secret.
She shared a post to Instagram of her newborn clutching her finger, as she wrote: “What a way to start the year – the last few days have been nothing short of immense.”
She then informed fans of her time away from TV and radio as she added: wrote: “I’ll be handing over my Thursday night @bbcradioscot duties to the excellent @ravisagoogram for a short spell – thanks, Ravi. Catch him from 10pm on @bbcsounds.”
