We faked our Bargain Hunt application but our lies seriously backfired when we started filming

A PAIR of students have revealed what goes on behind the scenes on Bargain Hunt – and why sometimes it can lead to a disappointing result.

Students Jodie Wood and Layla Milne applied to be on BBC daytime show Bargain Hunt, and told a few white lies on their applications to make it through.

BBC

BBC

Hinting that they may have more antiques knowledge and an eye for a bargain than they actually do, the pair were picked to head out as the red team in Grantham.

Paired with expert Mark Stanley, they should have been set up to find some hidden gems and treasure and rake it in.

Yet it didn’t quite work out that way.

They explained what happened as Jodie said to the Express: “It was a Wednesday in Grantham and there was no one there and there was no one in the building and hardly anyone online and stuff.

“From what the experts would say it was just like a potluck what you’re gonna get at the auction days.”

With not much to be found, you’d think the search would be over pretty quickly and filming would be done and dusted, but the pair explained the day was still lengthy.

Layla explained: “It was such a long day because we got there I think it was for 8am we didn’t leave until about 5.30/6 ish. 

“It was such a long day but a lot of it was just waiting around, to be honest.”

The pair’s lack of antique knowledge also came back to bite them, as they suffered a loss and walked away with no profit empty handed.

The inside scoop comes after a cheating scandal on the BBC show, which has seen one of its stars forced to speak out.

The cheating scandal refers to an incident, which took place in 2018 when Bez from rock band Happy Mondays made an appearance on the BBC programme.

He ended up getting disqualified after producers found out that it was his own girlfriend who bid on his team’s items – bagging them a £8 profit.

While speaking about how he would like to be involved with a Bargain Hunt musical feature in the future, Thomas Forrester shared his views on the misconduct.

He said: “We had the big scandal with the music one when Bez’s girlfriend – now wife – bid on the lots herself. It was just so naughty.

“They had to re-film the whole thing. They had to go back, do an inquiry, say this is not how it happens, you’re not allowed to do this.

“Then it was on Gogglebox. It made Gogglebox – people cheating on Bargain Hunt.

“Bez and his girlfriend [got a big telling off] yeah they did. But it was all in good humour.”

At the time Bez protested that it was all an honest mistake.

Bargain Hunt presenters

First airing on BBC One in 2000, Bargain Hunt sees two pairs of contestants tasked with buying antiques from a shop or fair and then try to make a profit at auction. With David Dickinson and Tim Wonnacott among the show's alumni, let's take a look at the current presenters.

• Christina Trevanion: Aside from presenting, Christina is also an auctioneer and a partner in the firm of Trevanion & Dean in Shropshire. Her other TV appearances include Antiques Road Trip, Flog It! and The Travelling Auctioneers.
• Eric Knowles: An antiquarian with a primary focus in ceramics and glass, Eric has also appeared on Antiques Roadshow, Noel’s House Party, Call My Bluff and Going, Going Gone.
• Natasha Raskin Sharp: Daughter of artist Philip Raskin, Natasha is an antiques and art expert, especially Scottish contemporary art. She has also featured in Antiques Road Trip, Flog It! and For What It’s Worth, among others.
• Charlie Ross: An antiques expert and auctioneer, Charlie’s career dates back to 1963 by joining a local firm of estate agents after leaving school, later progressing to antique furniture. He has also popped up on shows such as Flog It!, Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is and Antiques Road Trip.
• Caroline Hawley: Away from the Bargain Hunt cameras, Caroline also runs a successful antiques business in Yorkshire.
• Danny Sebastian: Having joined Bargain Hunt as an expert in 2017, Danny became part of the presenting team in 2022.
• Roo Irvine: Initially signing up for the show as an antiques expert, Roo later became a main presenter for Bargain Hunt. She’s also appeared in Antiques Road Trip and Flipping Profit.