Bargain Hunt icons who quit and why – show 'complaints' to four-word farewell
There have been a number of famous faces over the years on BBC's Bargain Hunt, but some antiques dealers have now left the beloved show.
Bargain Hunt host David Harper says he is ‘going dogging’
Bargain Hunt has been a familiar show on our screens for over two decades, first airing on the BBC in 2000 and it has since become a firm favourite with television viewers.
Over the years, fans have seen a number of antique dealers come and go. Three popular names - Tim Wonnacott, David Harper and David Dickinson - used to be regular faces.
However, they have now said goodbye to Bargain Hunt and embarked on new adventures. But when did they leave the show and what are they doing now?
Tim Wonnacott was a popular face for 12 years on the BBC show. He took over from previous host David Dickinson in 2003 and then announced his departure in 2015.
He was a much-loved personality on the programme, with his quirky glasses and colourful dickie-bow. Naturally, it came as a shock to many when he announced his exit in a lengthy statement.
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His shock departure came just a few weeks after it was reported staff at BBC Bristol issued a complaint after objecting to Tim's behaviour. This resulted into an investigation being launched into alleged bullying claims.
Tim penned: "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 declined to comment on "individual staff matters" but said in a statement: "We would like to thank Tim Wonnacott for his dedication to Bargain Hunt over the last twelve-years and for the great expertise that he has brought to the show in that time. Bargain Hunt will be moving in a new direction next year utilising a team of experts who present a number of shows each. Tim continues to work with the BBC on Antiques Road Trip."
Since saying goodbye to Bargain Hunt, Tim has stayed relatively out of the spotlight but sometimes lends his voice to narrate Antiques Road Trip.
Another face who also left the show recently was David Harper, who was on the BBC show for 15 years. He announced his exit in 2015 via Twitter, saying it was "time to move on."
The antiques broker has not appeared on television since, but previously worked on shows such as Cash in the Attic and Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.
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Lastly, David Dickinson is probably one of the biggest icons to host Bargain Hunt and his fame sky-rocketed when he joined the show in 2000.
After four years, he moved on and was succeeded by Tim Wonnacott. David then fronted the ITV show, Dickinson's Real Deal, in 2006 for 18 years.
It was reported that David had walked away from the series in order to spend more time with his wife Lorne Lesley and his loved ones.
Bargain Hunt can be streamed on BBC iPlayer.
