Bargain Hunt has been a well-loved cornerstone of British daytime TV ever since it aired more than two decades ago in 2000.
Ever since, teams sporting blue and red fleeces have been battling it out at various antique shows to see who can bag the biggest profit.
And the stars of the show are no exception to the limelight, as many different familiar faces have come and gone over the years to front the popular programme.
However, behind the scenes it’s not all smooth sailing and there has been a lot of drama that’s unfolded within 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 death 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 death 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 nothing short of immense’
Bargain Hunt star and antiques expert Natasha Raskin-Sharp shocked and delighted her fans back in January.
She gave birth having kept her entire pregnancy a secret from fans, only revealing the happy news after the little one was born.
Natasha, 38, who is married to Joe Sharp, a producer on Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, didn’t give viewers any clues that there was a little one on the way.
In a shock post, she shared a glimpse of her newborn baby daughter Jean and penned: ‘What a way to start the year – the last few days have been nothing short of immense.’
She continued: ‘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.
‘In the meantime, there’ll be lots of new #bbcbargainhunt and @antiqueroadtrip action (filmed when baby was a mere bump). Back soon! X’
Scottish presenter Natasha has been one of the lead presenters on Bargain Hunt since 2014 and has also featured on Antiques Road Trip, Flog It!, For What It’s Worth and Baggage Battles.
Natasha is married to Joe Sharp (pictured) a producer on Celebrity Antiques Road Trip
Natasha, who is married to Joe Sharp, a producer on Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, didn’t give viewers any clues that there was a little one on the way
Natasha and her husband Joe met back in 2013, before marrying four years later, and now live together in Glasgow.
The Bargain Hunt star has delighted fans throughout recent months, sharing a few glimpses into life as a new mother.
She has shared a slew of images of baby Jean, with her face always being covered by an emoji.
Eric Knowles’ family tragedy
Eric Knowles’ television success is dampened by a tragic loss in his personal life – the death of his son Sebastian
Beyond presenting Bargain Hunt, Eric Knowles has a slew of other TV gigs under his belt, including Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, Antiques Roadshow, and Clash of the Collectables.
However, his television success is dampened by a tragic loss in his personal life – the death of his son Sebastian.
Eric, 71, and his wife Anita, who reside in Buckinghamshire, welcomed two sons together, Oliver and Sebastian.
Anita also works as the secretary for their business, Eric Knowles Antiquarian Services Limited.
Sebastian tragically died aged just 26 years old in 2015 after being involved in a road traffic accident.
The collision occurred on the M40 in Buckinghamshire after his Mercedes collided with a lorry near Beaconsfield.
The 26-year-old spent a decade playing gigs in central London bars under the name DJ Sparky B and had worked with big names including The Artful Dodger and Ultrabeat.
He also held a weekly radio slot on Time FM before moving to Wycombe Sound in 2013.
Roo Irvine’s antiques backstory
The backstory that led to Roo Irvine becoming a familiar face on our screens is one of family tragedy
The TV star from Argyll and Bute opened her own shop called Kilcreggan Antiques in 2013 following the sudden passing of her father
Arusha ‘Roo’ Irvine became a Bargain Hunt expert five years ago in 2019, before going on to make her presenting debut in 2022.
Her TV appearances don’t begin and end with Bargain Hunt, as the host has also featured on Antiques Road Trip, Flipping Profit, Pointless – and even Mastermind.
However, the backstory that led to Roo, 32, to become a familiar face on our screens is one of family tragedy.
The TV star from Argyll and Bute opened her own shop called Kilcreggan Antiques in 2013 following the sudden passing of her father.
According to Hello! Magazine, Roo previously penned 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. We walked away from our senior corporate jobs and focused on taking care of our widowed mothers.’
The tragic circumstances led the couple to consider a change in their careers and they subsequently set up the shop together.
Tim Wonnacott’s shock exit
Tim starred on the popular programme for more than a decade between 2003 and 2015 but things quickly came crashing down (pictured in 2018)
Former Bargain Hunt presenter Tim Wonnacott’s shock exit from the programme made headlines back in 2015.
Tim, 73, starred on the popular programme for more than a decade between 2003 and 2015 but things quickly came crashing down.
He was reportedly probed by the BBC over allegations he ‘bullied’ staff while filming the antiques show and stepped down after allegedly being suspended following a confrontation with producers.
A source at BBC Bristol told Ok! Magazine: ‘I’ve always found him fine to work with. But some staff have been unhappy and made a complaint.
‘The word bullying has been used and the BBC has to take these things seriously and check them out.’
Although it was never confirmed why he actually left, the presenter’s official departure was announced in November 2015, with Tim releasing his own statement.
It read: ‘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.’
The BBC refused to comment on any more specifics of the suspension, while at the time Tim only said he is off the show for ‘personal reasons’.
Charles Hanson court case
Charles Hanson is set to face trial next year as he is accused of assault and coercive behaviour against his wife
Former star of the programme and antiques expert Charles Hanson is set to face trial next year as he is accused of assault and coercive behaviour against his wife.
The presenter, 45, has also appeared on 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 entered not guilty pleas to 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 the charges relate to his wife Rebecca.
Judge Smith told Hanson, of Mackworth, Derby, he would face a trial lasting between seven and ten 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 the charges. I have never behaved aggressively or unlawfully towards my family.
‘We have been through some difficult times in our marriage and it is extremely sad that this has become a criminal matter. I will be cooperating fully with the investigation and legal process.’
