Christina Trevanion

What’s it like to be part of the Bargain Hunt presenting team?

Being a part of the Bargain Hunt presenting team is a complete honour and a privilege. The show is a national and international Institution, and to be a very small part of the history of that is very exciting.

How do you find life on the road?

Life on the road with Bargain Hunt is always a whirlwind! There is a lot to fit in, in a short amount of time, we all have to work as part of a close-knit team, which I really enjoy. We get to visit some truly fascinating places that I wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to explore and meet some truly lovely people.

What is the favourite part of your role?

My favourite part of the role is meeting our wonderful contestants. They’ve already been through quite a long process to get to a filming day, so to see their excitement is incredibly touching – sometimes the excitement levels are akin to children on Christmas morning!

Why did you choose a career in antiques?

I love the variation that my career has. After fifteen years of working for other people, my dream came true when I opened my own auction house in my home county of Shropshire, in 2014. No two days are the same – one day I can be covered in cobwebs rummaging around in someone’s loft looking for priceless treasures; the next I can be giving a lecture to a group on early English porcelain. The antiques industry isn’t just a vocation, it’s a way of life, and it’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do.

What would you do for a living if you weren’t working in the antiques trade?

I can’t think of anything else I would rather do.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to work in antiques?

Gain as much work experience as you can in an auction house, antiques centre or antiques fair. Handle as many items as you can, truly get a ‘feel’ for the pieces. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, read, read and when you think you’ve read enough - read some more!

How did you get involved in Bargain Hunt?

I was working on another BBC programme Flog it! and one of the series producers asked if I would be interested in appearing as an expert on Bargain Hunt.

Who has been your most memorable Bargain Hunt team?

My most memorable team was a BBC Children in Need special that I filmed with Sue and her daughter Emma. Emma is a member of Chickenshed Theatre in North London and also happens to have Down’s syndrome. They were the BEST team to go shopping with, I can safely say I loved every minute.

What has been your best ever Bargain Hunt find?

Two stand out: an Arts and Crafts necklace, and a weathervane.

Which fairs do you particularly like shopping at when ‘bargain hunting’?

They’re all great in their own ways and all quite different. My favourite fair is one where it’s not raining!

What’s the most profit/greatest loss you’ve made at auction?

Do you know, I honestly couldn’t tell you. I don’t really remember the money, I just remember the journey… and the more laughter involved, the better!

What is your biggest guilty pleasure?

I try not to feel guilty about things, because life’s too short.

How do you spend your free time?

As a busy mum of two, with a full-time job and a part-time job, I don’t get a lot of free time, so when I do it is spent with my family and friends, in my garden, at home.

Do you collect anything?

I used to collect 18th Century porcelain, but now I seem to accidentally collect geriatric animals that nobody else wants. Trevanion Towers gets more and more like a zoo every day!

Why do you think Bargain Hunt has such appeal?

I think viewers enjoy watching the genuine friendship and camaraderie between the teams, the experts and the presenter. It’s a fun watch and you may happen to learn something along the way too - what’s not to love?

Why would you encourage anyone to appear on Bargain Hunt?

Because life’s about making memories and having fun, and filming Bargain Hunt is a lot of fun.