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Bargain Hunt has been a much-loved cornerstone of British daytime television since it aired more than two decades ago in 2000.
Since then, teams wearing blue and red fleeces have been competing at various antique shows to see who can rake in the biggest profits.
And the stars of the show are no exception to the fame, as many well-known faces have come and gone over the years to front the popular show.
However, behind the scenes not everything is rosy and there has been plenty of drama in the private lives of the show’s biggest names.
Here, MailOnline delves into the dramatic lives of the Bargain Hunt cast, from controversial exits and tragic deaths to a ‘secret’ baby.
Natasha Raskin-Sharp’s ‘secret baby’
MailOnline delves into the dramatic lives of the Bargain Hunt cast, from controversial exits and tragic deaths to a “secret” baby (Natasha Raskin-Sharp pictured above)
Natasha happily shared the news of Jean’s birth on social media in January, saying: “What a way to start the year – the last few days have been huge.”
Bargain Hunt star and antiques expert Natasha Raskin-Sharp surprised and delighted her fans in January.
She gave birth after keeping her entire pregnancy a secret from fans, only revealing the happy news after the little one was born.
Natasha, 38, who is married to Celebrity Antiques Road Trip producer Joe Sharp, gave viewers no clue that there was a little one on the way.
In a stunning post, she shared a glimpse of her newborn daughter, Jean, and wrote: “What a way to start the year – the last few days have been nothing short of immense.”
She continued: ‘I’ll be leaving my Thursday night duties on @bbcradioscot to the excellent @ravisagoogram for a short period. Thanks Ravi. Don’t miss it from 10pm on @bbcsounds.
‘In the meantime, there will be plenty of new action from #bbcbargainhunt and @antiqueroadtrip (filmed when baby was just a tummy). We’ll be back soon! X’
Scottish presenter Natasha has been one of the main presenters of Bargain Hunt since 2014 and has also appeared on Antiques Road Trip, Flog It!, For What It’s Worth and Baggage Battles.
Natasha is married to Joe Sharp (pictured), a producer of Celebrity Antiques Road Trip.
Natasha, who is married to Celebrity Antiques Road Trip producer Joe Sharp, gave viewers no clue that there was a little one on the way.
Natasha and her husband Joe met in 2013, before marrying four years later, and now live together in Glasgow.
The Bargain Hunt star has been delighting fans over the past few months, sharing glimpses of what life is like as a new mother.
She has shared a slew of pictures of baby Jean, with his face always covered by an emoji.
The family tragedy of Eric Knowles
Eric Knowles’ television success is marred by a tragic loss in his personal life: the death of his son Sebastian
As well as presenting Bargain Hunt, Eric Knowles has a host of other television work under his belt including Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, Antiques Roadshow and Clash of the Collectables.
However, her television success is overshadowed by a tragic loss in her personal life: the death of her son Sebastián.
Eric, 71, and his wife Anita, who live in Buckinghamshire, welcomed two sons together, Oliver and Sebastian.
Anita also works as a secretary for her company, Eric Knowles Antiquarian Services Limited.
Sebastian died tragically at just 26 years old in 2015 after being involved in a traffic accident.
The collision happened on the M40 in Buckinghamshire after his Mercedes collided with a lorry near Beaconsfield.
The 26-year-old spent a decade playing in central London bars under the DJ name Sparky B and had worked with big names including The Artful Dodger and Ultrabeat.
He also had a weekly radio slot on Time FM before moving to Wycombe Sound in 2013.
Roo Irvine’s History of Antiques
The backstory that led to Roo Irvine becoming a familiar face on our screens is one of family tragedy.
The Argyll and Bute TV star opened her own shop called Kilcreggan Antiques in 2013 following the sudden death of her father.
Arusha ‘Roo’ Irvine became a Bargain Hunt expert five years ago in 2019 before making her presenting debut in 2022.
Her TV appearances don’t start and end with Bargain Hunt, as the presenter has also appeared on Antiques Road Trip, Flipping Profit, Pointless and even Mastermind.
However, the story that led to Roo, 32, becoming a familiar face on our screens is one of family tragedy.
The Argyll and Bute TV star opened her own shop called Kilcreggan Antiques in 2013 following the sudden death of her father.
According Hello! MagazineRoo previously wrote on her website: ‘Kilcreggan Antiques came about through pure (bad) luck when suddenly and unexpectedly in 2013 my wonderful father passed away. I was heartbroken and devastated.
‘Three weeks later, my husband Mark also lost his father after a long battle with cancer. We stepped down from our senior positions in the company and focused on caring for our widowed mothers.’
The tragic circumstances led the couple to consider a career change and they subsequently set up shop together.
Tim Wonnacott’s surprising departure
Tim starred on the popular show for over a decade between 2003 and 2015, but things quickly fell apart (pictured in 2018)
Former Bargain Hunt host Tim Wonnacott’s shock exit from the show made headlines in 2015.
Tim, 73, starred on the popular show for more than a decade, from 2003 to 2015, but things quickly fell apart.
He was reportedly investigated by the BBC over allegations of “bullying” staff while filming the antiques exhibition and resigned after allegedly being suspended following a clash with producers.
A BBC Bristol source said: Ok! Magazine: “I’ve always thought it was a good job with him, but some staff members have been unhappy and have lodged a complaint.
‘The word ‘bullying’ has been used and the BBC needs to take these things seriously and look into them.’
Although the actual reason for his departure was never confirmed, the presenter’s official departure was announced in November 2015, when Tim published his own statement.
He said: ‘I’m delighted to have been part of Bargain Hunt for so many years and have thoroughly enjoyed each of my 1,200 or so bargain-hunting shows with the contestants.
‘As well as continuing to lend my voice to Antiques Road Trip for the BBC, I look forward to developing new programme ideas.’
The BBC declined to comment on further details of the suspension, while at the time Tim only said he was off the show for “personal reasons”.
Charles Hanson court case
Charles Hanson is due to face trial next year on charges of assault and coercive behaviour against his wife.
Former star of the show and antiques expert Charles Hanson is due to face trial next year on charges of assault and coercive behaviour towards his wife.
The 45-year-old presenter also appeared on Flog It! and Antiques Road Trip.
He made his first appearance at Derby Crown Court in February in front of Judge Shaun Smith KC, where he denied all the charges against him.
He has pleaded not guilty to charges of controlling or coercive behaviour between 2015 and 2023, assault occasioning actual bodily harm in May 2020 and two counts of assault by beating in 2022 and 2023. All of the charges relate to his wife Rebecca.
Judge Smith told Hanson, of Mackworth, Derby, he would face a trial lasting between seven and 10 days on February 10 next year.
It is understood Hanson will not appear on any BBC programming for the foreseeable future.
He previously told MailOnline: ‘I deny all charges. I have never behaved in an aggressive or unlawful manner towards my family.
“We have been through difficult times in our marriage and it is very sad that this has become a criminal matter. I will fully cooperate with the investigation and the legal process.”
