BBC Bargain Hunt expert in thinly-veiled dig at co-stars over questionable 'reputations': 'Just read the news'

While the light-hearted competition may lead to tongue-in-cheek conflicts between the two teams and experts who battle it out in the auction room, off-screen the BBC show has been dragged into a handful of controversies in 2024.

In April this year, expert John Cameron's auction house Nesbits Antiques Auctions was accused of selling The Railway Children star Sally Thomsett's belongings without her consent. Nesbits "entirely refuted" her claims and claimed the items were owned by an ex-husband.

Meanwhile, Charles Hanson of Hansons Auctioneers Derbyshire - another show regular - was charged with several coercive behaviour offences after officers were called to an address in Quarndon, Derbyshire, in June 2023.

Hanson denied all charges and will stand trial on February 10, 2025, at Derby Crown Court. Charges include actual bodily harm, assault and engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour.

Speaking to GB News about the bond shared between the experts who appear on Bargain Hunt, Pratt admitted that some "have better reputations" than others but stopped short of name-checking any co-stars specifically.

"The auction industry is a very small industry, really," he began. "So I was at college with (the likes of) Thomas Plant, Charlie Hanson, etc, they all did the same course as me which was a Southampton-based course in antiques. I was about two years above them.

"There's a bunch of them that all studied at the same place so we all know each other. We've known each other for years.

"We do keep up and there is some rivalry. Obviously, some people have better reputations in the trade than others and I shouldn't really make any comment on that whatsoever but you only have to read the news to see what people are up to and what's going on."

Despite the rivalry and "reputations" of some, Pratt admitted: "But you know, we're mate-y, we have Christmas parties, and we see each other and have a catch-up.

"Even the crews! On and off, the same guys have been on the show for 15 to 16 years so when you go away for a weekend to film, it's a real catch-up, it's great fun."

When quizzed on who his favourite "sparring partner" to face off in competition on the show is, Pratt took a moment to ponder his answer.

"Well, they [the BBC] don't do it so much now because they try not to get you to travel too far for their carbon footprint or whatever, you know," he revealed.

"But who do I like sparring against the most? I used to love going against Phil Serrell in Wales.

"He's a grumpy so-and-so, but he's lovely," Pratt teased. "He's a really good guy. Great knowledge, if anyone can make a £20 profit out of an old tree stump, it's Phil. That's his specialty."

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• BBC Bargain Hunt expert Jonathan Pratt issues warning over impact of Reeves's NI hike as he tips GOLD rush- GBN MEMBER EXCLUSIVE
  
• BBC Antiques Road Trip star opens up on ditching auction room for surprise new career move: 'Out of my comfort zone!'- EXCLUSIVE
• Damian Lewis storms out of Wolf Hall interview as he's quizzed on 'un-wokeness' of Henry VIII: 'Reject that'

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jonathan Pratt (@jonathanprattjp)

However, in another thinly-veiled dig, Pratt continued: "They're a really good fun bunch... mostly are, anyway."

Pratt was also full of praise for a fellow expert and presenter he starred alongside on another popular BBC show, Antiques Road Trip.

"You know, I did the Road Trip with Anita Manning and she was such a hoot, a great auctioneer," he remarked. "Funnily enough I sent her a message the other day just to see how she is, she stopped doing it a few years ago so I just wanted to see if she's alright. Anita's great fun."

He summed up by revealing his favourite co-stars are "the old guard", adding: "The guys who've been doing it a long time, it's always great to do it with them."

Away from life in the auction house, Pratt also discussed with GB News a rather surprising career venture he's taken on as he gears up for a stint on-stage as part of the cast of Winchester Musicals and Opera Society’s production of Kiss Me Kate.

"It's funny, really. The thing is, auction is theatre. Being a good auctioneer is understanding how to how to work a room, how to work with people," he explained when discussing the new role.

"You've got to entertain. You need to keep attention whilst trying to essentially take money from them for the objects you're selling. So a good auctioneer is always worth his money. In a live auction, I firmly believe a good auctioneer will take 20 percent more than a bad one for their clients. And there's lots of little different ways of doing things as an auctioneer.

"But why did I choose this path? Well, I've got four kids, and my youngest daughter wants to be an actress. They all went through the village school and then I said to my wife, 'We know all the parents in the village, but we don't know anyone else.

"I'd like to meet other people in the village, rather than just the parents of the children'. And Esme wants to be an actress so I said, 'Well, you've got to do some plays'."

Before long, Pratt and his children began auditioning for local plays and before he knew it, the roles kept on coming, resulting in his latest at the Theatre Royal in Winchester.

Tickets for Kiss Me Kate are available to purchase here: https://www.wmos.org.uk/kiss-me-kate