Gary Pe

How do you find life on the road with Bargain Hunt?

I've lived in three continents and have lost count the number of times I've moved. I'm always travelling, always going somewhere. My friends constantly chide me for "never being home.” So yes, it suits me just fine!

What is your favourite part of your role?
The unpredictability of it all. You never know who you're going to be teamed up with, what items you're going to find, and what they're going to achieve at auction. Bargain Hunt is one big adrenaline rush. Then you end with a new set of friends in the end. How cool is that?

Why did you choose a career in antiques?
Antiques is a passion of mine, not a career. I'm a collector of objects with hidden stories. Every time I pick up an object I quietly ask, "Where have you been, what have you witnessed?" Sometimes, through diligent research and forensics, it answers back!

What would you do for a living if you weren’t working in the antiques trade?
I’ve already had ‘careers’ outside of antiques. My first job was as a disc jockey in Manila. I've sung and acted in theatre. I worked in the insurance industry in Montreal, then in London for a good few years. I've even moonlighted as a singer in a jazz bar in Montreal. Now I'm doing Bargain Hunt, half a world away from where I was born and grew up. Who would have thought?

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to work in antiques?
It requires a certain mindset to be in antiques. There are easier ways of making a living. First, you need to truly love antiques and not mind the odd, long hours involved. You have to be on permanent learning mode. Engage with your customers and fellow dealers. Be constantly aware of trends, what's hot and what's not. My grandfather gave me the best advice, which I've applied to every aspect of my life: stay curious!

How did you get involved in Bargain Hunt?
I just got a call out of the blue from the BBC. They were looking for someone with a different background and experience in antiques for Bargain Hunt. I thought someone was playing a prank! It was a long process, took months. And the rest, as they say......

Which fairs do you particularly like shopping at when bargain hunting?
When on a personal bargain hunt, I prefer to visit charity and junk shops and flea markets, trawling through uncurated objects that people have discarded. I'm constantly amazed at the treasures that turn up in these places.

What’s the most profit / greatest loss you’ve made at auction?
I once picked up a ceramic plate by Picasso in a junk shop in Sweden that ended up being auctioned in New York. Recently, I picked up a pair of vases by the Satsuma master Yabu Meizan, and a Chinese clair de lune vase that had been converted into a lamp and mounted on a wooden base. On dismantling it, I discovered an authentic six-character mark of Emperor Kangxi. I'm holding on to these objects for now. But they may just prove to be my most profitable finds ever - if I ever sell them!

What is your biggest guilty pleasure?
Cakes, anything buttery with lots of cream.

How do you spend your free time?
I'm always on the hunt for antiques, never stopping, always searching for that 'sleeper' that others have missed. When home, there's always the garden to tend to and the kitchen to try out new recipes. I love watching art documentaries online when I can finally rest my legs... till the next Bargain Hunt.

Do you collect anything?
Wrong question. It should be: "Is there anything you DON'T collect?!”

Why do you think Bargain Hunt has such appeal?
The show has been on for such a long time that it's become as quintessentially British as fish and chips. We've become that reliable constant, like dear old friends who turn up regularly for lunch and keep us entertained.

Why would you encourage anyone to appear on Bargain Hunt?
It's two whole days of your life, two days you will never forget!