Bargain Hunt star makes dig at BBC bosses over 'cuts' as show element at risk

Bargain Hunt: Guests confer over 'risky' item

Bargain Hunt expert Jonathan Pratt made a veiled dig at BBC bosses over certain cost-cutting elements in the programme.

The star was interviewed by GB News, who asked who his favourite expert to “spar” with on the show is. The star decided on Phil Serrell, who appraises antiques in Wales.

But he admitted: “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. 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. 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.”

However, in place of Bargain Hunt travelling around the country, expert Christina Travanion has been up and down the UK in a mobile auction house to help families sell their unwanted items in Travelling Auctioneers, which started airing in 2022 on BBC One.

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Bargain Hunt auctioneer Jonathan Pratt warned of less travel for the show (Image: Elmbridge Titles)

It comes after Bargain Hunt fans were left fuming when key elements were cut from the show. Last month, viewers noticed the auctioneer’s highlights had been axed, and four teams headed to the auction block rather than the usual two.

The format change saw one pair of red and blue teams go under the hammer partway through the episode, while another had their items auctioned off at the end as usual. But not everyone was happy with the big changes.

One viewer fumed: “Don’t like these shortened shows, miss auctioneer’s comments!!” As another said: “Hi, we enjoy watching #BargainHunt but why the change in format at the moment @BBC?”

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Jonathan misses sparring with a Welsh expert (Image: BBC) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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Others were loving it, finding the compact episodes allow for airing more content in a single instalment. One X user wrote: “Loving the double episodes. Cutting out the unnecessary stuff. The host asking what's going to make the most profit and the auctioneer's valuations. Much better. I wonder why it's changed but I hope it continues."

The episode was earmarked as an “extended version”, with two separate episodes appearing to be edited together, but the shake-up continued throughout a week of Bargain Hunt.

Bargain Hunt star makes dig at BBC bosses over 'cuts' as show element at risk

Bargain Hunt star makes dig at BBC bosses over 'cuts' as show element at risk

Bargain Hunt star makes dig at BBC bosses over 'cuts' as show element at risk

Bargain Hunt star makes dig at BBC bosses over 'cuts' as show element at risk

Bargain Hunt star makes dig at BBC bosses over 'cuts' as show element at risk