BBC Bargain Hunt - Charles Hanson Auction Profile

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Charles Hanson…We say sale!

Charles Hanson is a popular figure on BBC TV’s Bargain Hunt both as an antiques expert and as an auctioneer. With his a quirky dress sense – often appearing in suits that seem slightly too small for him and his youthful looking appearance. This belies the fact that he is well respected in the antiques world and is the owner of his own auction house that he set up in 2005.

Auctioneer and expert valuer Kate Bliss also works there.

Presenter Tim Wonnacott often refers to Charles Hanson as “Carlos”, for no particular reason that anyone can see, but somehow the name suits him.

Although Charles is good fun as an expert and no slouch at finding great bargains for his team, his auctioneering style is very entertaining.

The first thing you may notice is his rather hoarse voice. He shouts encouragement at his audience and has a range of great phrases. Look and listen out for “We say sale” and lots of, "I’m in your out”…type expressions all delivered amidst copious sips of water. His obvious enthusiasm is infectious and he often perseveres to get good prices.

The mysterious Miss Hornblower is becoming a feature of the Charles Hanson auction house when the Bargain Hunt Team is in town. Perhaps she always goes or perhaps she is lured by the cameras. Whoever she is, this smartly dressed audience member has been the saviour of many a bargain hunt team offering a dodgy item for sale!

BBC Bargain Hunt - Kate Bliss biography

Kate Bliss is known to many from her appearances as an expert on BBC's Bargain Hunt.

Kate really does live and breathe the world of Antiques.

Kate admits to being a self-confessed antiques fanatic. Even when she holidays with her husband Jonathan, the couple often duck into a local antique or junk shop and buy something they don’t need!

Kate grew up in Hampton Bishop and then Dorstone at the head of the Golden Valley in Hereford.

Immersed in antiques from an early age while helping in her father’s saleroom, Kate did a stint of work experience at what was then Russell, Baldwin and Bright Auctioneers, where her father had also served his apprenticeship.

Bitten by the antiques bug she didn’t look back. She left the county for only three short years to study English Literature at Oxford before moving back to her rural roots to work where she feels most at home.

Kate says:
“I was green to the commercial side of things but it was the love of the objects that attracted me to the antiques business and auction houses are a great place to learn.

You’re at the sharp end of the market, handling different things every day and researching them. I love learning about the history and craftsmanship of these beautiful things and you get a real buzz conducting an auction up on the rostrum.”

After gaining over seven years experience on the rostrum, Kate specialised in jewellery and silver and became a fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain and is also an appointed Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain

Kate made her television debut after being spotted by the Bargain Hunt crew when they visited Brightwells auction house to film an episode of the programme, then presented by David Dickinson.

“It came completely out of the blue. While at Oxford I thought about going into either fine art or the media and it is quite uncanny how I now combine the two.” She says.

Kate says:
“I’m dumbstruck Bargain Hunt has carried on so long. When I started I thought it may last a couple of months. Tim Wonnacott (the show’s current presenter) who is a good friend of Kate’s has really helped to keep the viewing figures high.”

Kate has appeared on Flog It! Bargain Hunt, Antiques road trip, and Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.

In 2003 she set up her own antiques and fine art valuation business, Kate Bliss Valuation, based in Hereford, which she combines with her regular television appearances.



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