Bargain Hunt star addresses show’s cheating scandal – and reveals contestants were told off by BBC bosses
BARGAIN Hunt star Thomas Forrester has now revealed what went down on set when show bosses attempted a music special only to be faced with a cheating scandal.
Although the antiques expert himself was not involved with that episode, he remembers the uproar that ensued.
The incident took place in 2018 when Bez from rock band Happy Mondays made an appearance on the BBC programme.
He ended up getting disqualified after producers found out that it was his own girlfriend who bid on his team’s items – bagging them a £8 profit.
While speaking about how he would like to be involved with a Bargain Hunt musical feature in the future, Thomas thought back to the instance of misconduct.
He shared: “We had the big scandal with the music one when Bez’s girlfriend – now wife – bid on the lots herself. It was just so naughty.
“They had to re-film the whole thing. They had to go back, do an inquiry, say this is not how it happens, you’re not allowed to do this.
“Then it was on Gogglebox. It made Gogglebox – people cheating on Bargain Hunt.
“Bez and his girlfriend [got a big telling off] yeah they did. But it was all in good humour.”
At the time Bez protested that it was all an honest mistake.
He said he asked Firouzeh to bid for a 100-piece tea set that had nothing to do with the show, but she got confused.
Bez added: “I said, ‘I want this, this is ours’. And she thought I meant. ‘Go get a ticket and bid on our things’.
“She completely misunderstood.”
Firouzeh ended up buying a horseshoe mirror and record player hawked by Bez’s red team.
The maraca man, and former CBB contestant, said: “I couldn’t believe it. I was sat there thinking, ‘Oh my God, she’s bought me mirror’.
“But it was an honest error – we never meant to cheat.”
He added: “It was embarrassing having to hand over our title.
“I’ve ended up with all the old junk we bought.”
Thomas was speaking to The Sun as he prepares to host the charity auction at Oxfordshire’s ‘OxTrail’ for Sobell House Hospice.
Bargain Hunt presenters
First airing on BBC One in 2000, Bargain Hunt sees two pairs of contestants tasked with buying antiques from a shop or fair and then try to make a profit at auction. With David Dickinson and Tim Wonnacott among the show's alumni, let's take a look at the current presenters.
- Christina Trevanion: Aside from presenting, Christina is also an auctioneer and a partner in the firm of Trevanion & Dean in Shropshire. Her other TV appearances include Antiques Road Trip, Flog It! and The Travelling Auctioneers.
- Eric Knowles: An antiquarian with a primary focus in ceramics and glass, Eric has also appeared on Antiques Roadshow, Noel’s House Party, Call My Bluff and Going, Going Gone.
- Natasha Raskin Sharp: Daughter of artist Philip Raskin, Natasha is an antiques and art expert, especially Scottish contemporary art. She has also featured in Antiques Road Trip, Flog It! and For What It’s Worth, among others.
- Charlie Ross: An antiques expert and auctioneer, Charlie’s career dates back to 1963 by joining a local firm of estate agents after leaving school, later progressing to antique furniture. He has also popped up on shows such as Flog It!, Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is and Antiques Road Trip.
- Caroline Hawley: Away from the Bargain Hunt cameras, Caroline also runs a successful antiques business in Yorkshire.
- Danny Sebastian: Having joined Bargain Hunt as an expert in 2017, Danny became part of the presenting team in 2022.
- Roo Irvine: Initially signing up for the show as an antiques expert, Roo later became a main presenter for Bargain Hunt. She’s also appeared in Antiques Road Trip and Flipping Profit.