Bargain Hunt Presenters: The Faces Behind Britain’s Favourite Antiques Show

Bargain Hunt has been a cornerstone of BBC daytime television since 2000. Over 25 years and more than 1,800 episodes, the show has been guided by a host of charismatic presenters and experts. Therefore, the Bargain Hunt presenters have become household names in their own right [citation:3].

From the original host David Dickinson to the current rotating team of antiques experts, the show has evolved while keeping its core appeal. As a result, millions of viewers tune in daily to watch the red and blue teams battle for profit at auction.

The Original Bargain Hunt Presenters

David Dickinson was the first Bargain Hunt presenter, hosting the show from its launch in 2000 until 2003. Known for his trademark tan and catchphrases, “The Duke” became synonymous with antique-hunting on British television [citation:2][citation:3].

After leaving Bargain Hunt, Dickinson moved to ITV to present Dickinson’s Real Deal, which he continues to host to this day. He also presented The David Dickinson Show and David Dickinson’s Name Your Price [citation:3].

Tim Wonnacott took over as presenter in 2003 and remained in the role until 2015. An auctioneer and antiques expert, Wonnacott brought his own style to the show. After leaving, he became the narrator of Antiques Road Trip and Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, roles he still holds [citation:2][citation:3].

Current Bargain Hunt Presenters: The Rotating Team

After Tim Wonnacott’s departure in 2015, the BBC introduced a new format featuring a rotating team of presenters drawn from the show’s antiques experts [citation:2]. This change brought fresh faces to the front of the camera and has kept the show dynamic.

Eric Knowles is one of the longest-serving current Bargain Hunt presenters. The ceramics expert joined the show in 2017 after a distinguished career as head of Bonhams ceramics department. He has also appeared on Antiques Roadshow, Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, and Going for a Song [citation:3][citation:6].

Knowles continues to present episodes in 2026, recently hosting from Guildford and Detling. He has been a staple of the programme since 2017, appearing in over 50 episodes [citation:9][citation:10].

Like Charlie Dimmock and Alan Titchmarsh, Knowles represents the enduring appeal of expert-led lifestyle television.

Natasha Raskin Sharp

Natasha Raskin Sharp is the youngest of the Bargain Hunt presenters. The Scottish antiques expert studied History of Art at the University of Glasgow before joining McTear’s auction house. She has been presenting the show since 2014, making her one of the longest-serving current hosts [citation:3][citation:6].

Beyond Bargain Hunt, Raskin Sharp is a regular on Antiques Road Trip and Celebrity Antiques Road Trip. She also runs her own business, Exhibit Auctions, which auctions artworks directly from artists’ studios [citation:3].

Her father is the renowned artist Philip Raskin, and she has spoken about growing up in a creative household. Her favourite part of hosting is meeting the “wonderful” and “bubbly” contestants [citation:6].

Charlie Ross

Charlie Ross has been a Bargain Hunt presenter since 2018. He boasts over 50 years in the antiques business, having started as an auctioneer in 1963—beginning with chickens and turkeys before moving into furniture and collectables [citation:3][citation:6].

Ross has also appeared on Antiques Roadshow, Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, and Antiques Road Trip. He remains an active auctioneer at prestigious events including the Arizona Scottsdale car auction and the Pebble Beach Vintage Car Auction in California [citation:6].

In a recent episode, Ross was left “floored” when expert Caroline Hawley rescued the blue team with a silver cocktail stirrer bonus buy that turned a £105 loss into a victory. “This is extraordinary!” he exclaimed [citation:1].

Caroline Hawley

Caroline Hawley is both an expert and presenter on Bargain Hunt. She has been with the show since 2014 and continues to guide contestants in 2026. Her career began when she opened her first antiques shop, Penny Farthing Antiques, in 1983 [citation:6].

Hawley runs her own auction house, Hawleys Auctioneers, in East Yorkshire with her husband and son. Her recent last-minute rescue of a team made headlines, demonstrating why she is one of the show’s most popular figures [citation:1].

Like Caroline Hawley (our previous feature), she has become synonymous with the show’s friendly but competitive spirit.

Christina Trevanion

Christina Trevanion has been a Bargain Hunt presenter since 2016. She is also an auctioneer and managing partner of Trevanion Auctioneers & Valuers in Shropshire. She previously worked at Christie’s auction house [citation:3][citation:6].

Since leaving the show, she has become a presenter and narrator on The Travelling Auctioneers with Will Kirk and JJ Chalmers. She continues to appear on Bargain Hunt regularly [citation:3].

Roo Irvine (Arusha Irvine)

Arusha “Roo” Irvine joined Bargain Hunt as an expert in 2019 and became a presenter in 2022. The Scottish antiques expert opened her own shop, Kilcreggan Antiques, after the tragic passing of her father [citation:3][citation:6].

“I’m loving every second of it. Bargain Hunt has such a happy, chilled vibe and that’s down to the contestants and the crew. It’s like a big family,” she said of her presenting role [citation:7].

For more information about the show, visit the BBC’s official Bargain Hunt page.

Danny Sebastian

Danny Sebastian is a self-taught antiques dealer who joined Bargain Hunt as an expert in 2017 and became a presenter in 2022. He is known for his upcycling and repurposing expertise, as well as his humorous one-liners [citation:3][citation:7].

Sebastian has also appeared on Celebrity Mastermind, Flipping Profit, Celebrity Eggheads, and CBeebies’ Junk Rescue. He has been open about a health scare in 2019, using it to encourage others to look after their wellbeing [citation:6].

Other Experts and Former Presenters

Several other antiques experts have taken turns presenting or have been regular faces on Bargain Hunt. These include Thomas Forrester (formerly known as Thomas Plant), Anita Manning, Paul Laidlaw, Charles Hanson, and Philip Serrell [citation:2][citation:5].

Current experts regularly appearing in 2026 include Catherine Southon, Kate Bliss, Izzie Balmer, Mark Stacey, John Cameron, Stephanie Connell, Raj Bisram, and Irita Marriott [citation:4][citation:5].

The show also features a rotating cast of auctioneers who guide the contestants through the final sale. These include Richard Winterton, Will Farmer, and others [citation:10].

Conclusion

The Bargain Hunt presenters have become as beloved as the show itself. From David Dickinson’s original charm to the current rotating team of experts, each host brings their own personality and expertise. Therefore, the show remains a daytime TV institution after 25 years.

With a roster of knowledgeable and charismatic presenters like Eric Knowles, Natasha Raskin Sharp, Charlie Ross, and Caroline Hawley, Bargain Hunt continues to educate and entertain millions. Consequently, its future looks as bright as its past.

FAQs

Who was the original presenter of Bargain Hunt?
David Dickinson hosted from 2000 to 2003.

Who are the current Bargain Hunt presenters?
Eric Knowles, Natasha Raskin Sharp, Charlie Ross, Christina Trevanion, Caroline Hawley, Roo Irvine, and Danny Sebastian.

Who replaced Tim Wonnacott on Bargain Hunt?
Thomas Plant (now Thomas Forrester) was the first to replace him in 2016, followed by a rotating team of presenters.

What happened to Tim Wonnacott?
He left Bargain Hunt in 2015 and now narrates Antiques Road Trip and Celebrity Antiques Road Trip.

Who are the experts on Bargain Hunt 2026?
Catherine Southon, Kate Bliss, Izzie Balmer, Mark Stacey, John Cameron, Stephanie Connell, and others.

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