Antiques Road Trip: Philip Serrell gets slapped by insulted seller
BBC Bargain Hunt's Philip Serrell has been a part of the show for over two decades. He was approached by the series producer of the day and recorded the first Bargain Hunt, filmed at Malvern in 1999.
The episode was broadcast the following year and Philip, who is married, admitted: "I only ever thought I'd do one programme." He has since become one of the most valued members of the team.
However, his interest has not always been in the auctioneering business, as he qualified as a PE teacher in his early years. When asked what his alternative career choice would be, he said: "Well, I qualified as a PE teacher but I think those days might be long gone; probably something to do with the countryside."
On X, formerly Twitter, he joked about how PE teaching had not worked out for him. His bio states: "Auctioneer. Appears on a number of BBC antique shows & not an antique but very much mid-century. Author. Petrolhead. Miserably failed PE Teacher."
The 70-year-old began his career as a livestock trade auctioneer but became a chartered surveyor in 1988 to analyse antiques. He has since launched another exciting and more creative venture.
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He has written three books based on his life as a country auctioneer with his first book, An Auctioneer's Lot, documenting his early career.
The second book, Sold to the Man with the Tin Leg, carries on with his life story so far.
His latest book is titled What Am I Bid? My Life Under the Hammer and his writing has been compared to the works of renowned vet James Herriot and Gervase Phinn.
His website explains his change of career: "After completing a Bsc at Loughborough University, he actually started his working life as a PE and Geography teacher.
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"However after realising this was most definitely not the career for him, he began to pursue auctioneering.
"His first job saw him cleaning out the cattle pens at a local livestock market, working for the Bromyard-based firm Bentley Hobbs and Mytton.
"Here he gained a huge amount of experience working with some very interesting characters.
"After a few years, Philip was able to set up business on his own, establishing Philip Serrell Auctioneers and Valuers in 1995."
Bargain Hunt airs on BBC One on weekdays from 12.15pm
