London 11 Bargain Hunt

This flamboyant 18th-century Gothic revival building

is Strawberry Hill House in West London.

It's one of the jewels in the crown of Britain's architectural heritage,

and was created by Horace Walpole,

the son of Britain's first Prime Minister.

He was a renowned collector, amassing thousands of objects,

which were all sold off in one sale of the century.

Now, that auction went on to make huge profits,

which is exactly what we're looking for today.

So, if you're ready, let's go bargain hunting.

It's just a short journey from Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham

to the Kingston Antiques Centre, where our teams are shopping today.

Luckily, our Reds and Blues won't be taking thousands of items

to the auction, just the three.

But there will be a strict budget of only £300

and only one hour on the clock in which to find them.

So, before all that, let's have a look at what's coming up.

The Reds have conflicting tastes.

-Would you wear that?

-I'd wear it, yeah.

-What about you, Maggie?

-There's no way I would wear that.

The Blues reminisce.

-No, no, no.

-OK. They always remind me of school.

Those blooming awful running races with a stopwatch. No.

But who gets top marks at the auction?

-The Reds or the Blues?

-Yes!

But that's all coming up a little later.

First, it's time to meet today's teams.

For the Reds, we have mother and daughter, Maggie and Katie,

and for the Blues, friends, Chris and Peter.

-Hello, everyone.

-Hello!

-That's the spirit.

Right, Reds, I'm coming straight to you.

Maggie, tell me, what made you apply to come on Bargain Hunt?

Well, I was watching Bargain Hunt one lunchtime and at the end,

there was a clip and it said,

"We're looking for contestants in London and the south-east.

"If you think this will be fun, why don't you apply?"

So I thought, "Why don't I apply? It will be fun!"

-And I knew just the person to ask.

-She roped me in!

Right, so, Maggie, tell me about your career as a maths teacher.

I've been teaching maths in various schools and colleges in south-west London.

I don't teach in a school any more but I teach at home.

I do home tuition.

OK, but hopefully it's not all work in your retirement.

No, I have lots of fun.

I do Pilates, I play tennis, but my passion in life is dance.

Now, Katie, you sound pretty envious of this retirement

but you're a way off from it, so what do you do for a living?

So I work in digital marketing for a beauty company,

but it's basically managing all online marketing

and it's always evolving, so it's always keeping me on my toes.

So you know beauty products in and out,

but what about antiques and collectables?

-How's your knowledge there?

-So it's not great,

but I love anything for interiors

and I've got a really good eye for things that kind of stand out.

Do you have the same taste?

Not really, do we?

We... No.

I mean... We sort of...

We agree towards the end, I would say.

One of us always wins out.

Or we come to the same conclusion at the end.

-After much discussion.

-Yeah.

Well, thank you, Reds, it's time to turn to the competition,

the Blues, Chris and Peter.

-Hello.

-Feeling good?

-Yes. Thank you. A little bit nervous.

-Oh, don't be nervous.

-Excited as well, though.

Good, I'm glad to hear it. So before we get into the competition,

first of all, Chris, tell me, how did you and Peter become such good friends?

Well, we met when my daughter started going out with his son.

-OK.

-So, he's my daughter's father-in-law,

-I'm his son's mother-in-law.

-The mother-in-law from hell.

I don't believe it for a second.

I'm the best mother-in-law his son's ever had.

-He's only got one.

-Chris, tell me about your career.

-You're retired now, is that right?

-I am retired, yes.

I've been retired about seven years now.

But when I was working full-time,

I worked in a centre for disabled people, a day centre.

And, Peter, you're still really busy, tell me about your career.

-Yes.

-I'm now a driving instructor.

Before that, I was in photography.

Specialising in black and white printing and things like that.

Of course, digital photography came along and I was suddenly out of work.

And a friend of mine said, you talk too much, you can drive,

become a driving instructor.

-And that's how it happened.

-Tell me, I'm sure you're after profits,

and of course that will be your tactic, but what about specifics?

Are you buying low, trying to sell high, or are you

spending all the money? What are you thinking?

I don't want to buy anything I like.

OK. Tell me more about that.

Because I'm a hoarder. So if I bought something I like,

I'd be so upset if we had to sell it.

So, might obviously buy something for a profit,

but something I don't really like.

Now, listen, you have a budget of £300.

Quite a lot. And I want you to spend it wisely.

So, Reds, £300 for you.

Exciting. Blues, £300 for you two.

-Oh! Thank you very much.

-That's the last you'll see of Chris.

We have lovely experts waiting to meet you,

so I'll invite you to do just that.

Off you go. And find out who they are.

-Thanks very much.

-Well, it's all happy families for now.

Let's see how that pans out.

So, introducing today's experts...

Banging the drum for the Reds, it's Nick Hall.

And putting on the Ritz for the Blues, it's Caroline Hawley.

Now, ladies, I feel like a thorn between two roses today.

-What are we shopping for, Maggie?

-Art Deco.

I'm looking for glass, china and anything that catches my eye.

Anything ornate, so pieces of furniture or mirrors

or anything beautiful for the house.

I'd like to find some jewellery,

and maybe some silver.

Excellent.

Time to snap up a bargain, teams, your time starts now.

-Let's go and find some, come on.

-All right.

-Let's go shopping.

-Can't wait.

Best of luck, teams.

Rocking horses sell quite well, don't they?

They do. They are always sought after for collectors,

for people who are just having babies, for grandchildren...

It just boils down to the price. There's always a market for them.

-It's quite expensive.

-Is it?

-Yeah, £175.

It's not a rare antique one.

It is just a usable one.

That's maybe a little strong for us.

-Yes.

-I think the auction estimate would be around about 100, £150.

-OK.

-I don't think that's special enough for us.

-Right, OK.

-Not good enough for us.

-No.

Come on, fell at the first hurdle. Come on, you two.

Trot on, then, Reds.

Meanwhile, the Blues have already spotted some silver

-that was on Chris's shopping list.

-They're nice, actually, those.

Now, I can see from here, the salts are Chester 1900.

The spoons are Birmingham 1972.

So what that suggests to me is that they've lost the original spoons

and they've had some made to replace them.

-Right, OK.

-Which is not...

-A match.

-Yeah, which is not brilliant.

And the original salt spoons would often be gilded.

In the bowl, with gold leaf, to protect the silver

-from the corrosion of the salt.

-Oh, the salt!

Shall we move on and look at something else?

Sadly, not quite the silver item Chris was after

but these should be right up Katie's street.

These are kind of cool as well.

Oh, they're nice!

I mean, they are such a nice design.

They've got that almost sort of

St Tropez, south of France, retro look about them.

They're modern copies,

but they're in that really cool style, aren't they?

Do you think they'd get much at auction?

I think so. I'd bid on them, would you?

I would. I like those.

-£90.

-And you're hard to please and you like those.

-I do like those.

-Yeah.

I guess they've got those nice sort of angular lines that you like

-with the Art Deco.

-Yeah. Yeah.

-They're almost reminiscent of that, aren't they?

-Yeah. Nice and simple.

-Can't go wrong.

-So, these...

-They are solid though.

-Solid wood bases.

-They're a little bit damaged.

-Yeah,

just needs a little bit of spit and polish, that's all.

-It's fine.

-But they're original '70s?

Well, I'm not sure if they're original '70s

or they're modern retro

in the '70s style. But the all-important thing is - you'll know

this cos you like interior design - is they've got the look.

How much do you think we should...?

Well, that's going to be down to your negotiating skills.

-You've got to go and haggle hard now.

-OK.

Do you want to do it?

-You do it.

-Why don't you both go?

-We'll both go, yes.

-OK.

-Find the dealer, see what you can do,

and if you can get them down to £70, £80,

I think there's still a margin left in it.

-Do you like them enough to go and do that?

-Yeah, definitely.

-Do you think?

-Yeah, for 70, 80, let's give it a go.

Time to test your negotiating skills, Reds.

Blues, is anything jumping out yet?

I love those frogs.

What do you like about frogs?

I just love them. I've got frogs everywhere in my garden.

-Have you?

-Ornaments and hanging feeders.

Ornaments in the kitchen.

But they're rather expensive.

-Yes.

-How much?

-225.

Too much, isn't it?

Well, you can afford them, you've got the money.

That's putting all your money in...

-Into two frogs.

-Yeah, two frogs. You know...

-Too much...

-Too much.

-..at the beginning, isn't it?

-Got to leave some money.

-OK, then.

Right, you go ahead and find somewhere.

Hop on. So a cautious start for the Blues, but have the Reds managed

to get a better deal than £90 on the pair of lamps?

-We've got them.

-You bought them?

-Yes.

-We bought them.

-And... How much for?

-£78.

-Fantastic. Well done. Good price.

-Do you think it's a good deal?

I think you've done really well.

I think they will light up the saleroom.

And only eight minutes in. You two are absolutely on fire.

Woohoo!

A united start for the Reds and their first buy within ten minutes.

Blues, will these dogs cut it?

-People love dogs.

-Yes.

-Knife rests, aren't they?

-Are they? I don't know.

-They could be.

Yes, I like those.

-They're knife rests and people like dogs.

-Yes, they do.

-Little dachshunds.

-Yes.

-And they're different.

Yeah. I like that.

-Right.

-Right.

-That's very decisive, Peter.

-I am positive.

-I like your style.

-Yes. Dogs.

-Dogs. Yes.

The whole, what you call, pack of them. Pack of hounds.

They're really sweet.

-Well, they're plastic.

-Are they plastic?

-Yes.

You thought they were glass.

-I'd say they're plastic.

-Yeah, they're plastic.

How much are they? They're not expensive.

£26.

What would be the best on that?

-If we do 23?

-Could you do 18?

I think I'd have to check with her, just to make sure she's happy with that but we can try.

-Yes?

-If they were glass, definitely.

But plastic...

-Yeah, 18, I'd be interested.

-18?

-Put that back.

18?

-That's £3 each, if we get them for 18.

-Yes.

-Yes.

-It's not a lot of money, is it?

-I like those.

-They look great.

While Michael phones the dealer to negotiate on the knife rests,

could the Reds' united front be about to crumble in the face of these?

So what about these heads over here?

What have you spotted? They're quite creepy, aren't they?

I quite like anything kind of... for the home that's quite white

because you can sort of put it on a white wall and it all blends in,

and then you kind of notice them,

and they're really quirky.

-Yeah.

-I don't like the way they stick out from the wall,

and then they're severed at the neck.

You're painting such a wonderful picture of them.

How could I resist?!

They are just unusual, quirky, decorative objects.

-OK.

-And how much are they?

120 for the pair.

A bit steep for two severed heads, what do you think, Maggie?

I think they are a bit steep, yeah.

Nick and Maggie aren't convinced.

Now, what news on the six plastic knife rests?

Spoke to the dealer and she would be delighted to accept

-your offer of 18.

-Oh!

-Lovely.

-Brilliant.

-One down, two to go.

-Excellent! Brilliant.

Thank you so much.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

Well done, Blues. That makes it 1-1 with 20 minutes on the clock.

Now, what's caught Maggie's eye?

So what is it you like about it?

Well, I liked the top, that's what drew me to it.

-The carving.

-The carving, yes. It's so ornate.

-A lot of work has gone into it. A lot of effort.

-Yes.

It is early to mid-20th century,

carved as a part of a mass production,

making Asian objects for the Western market.

-Oh, right.

-The one thing that this one stands out amongst the others,

I think, is the depth of carving and the gauge of the timber.

And if you look, that's quite a thick piece of timber.

That's carved from a single block,

and then pierced, so it's decorative, rather than being rare.

Right. So it's not worth an awful lot, then.

Well, it's got a value as a decorative, useful box

for jewellery... How much is it, by the way?

38. Oh, it's got its key!

OK. Well, that's a bonus.

-Yes.

-I'm not sure about it.

I think it just feels like... I've seen this sell quite

a lot before and I'm not sure how popular it is now.

There's a margin of profit, if you like it enough, to have a go.

But if you don't like it, then there's no point paying for it,

-I guess, really, is there?

-Shall we put it on stand-by?

Yeah, let's put it on stand-by.

Cos I like that but we haven't been round and seen an awful lot yet.

Sure. So we're not going to dismiss it completely.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-We're going to put it down as a...

-As a maybe.

-Yeah.

So, one for the back burner.

And after a positive start,

the ladies' diverse tastes are beginning to show.

Now, will the silver-loving Blues have better luck with

this piece of jewellery?

I quite like that silver bangle.

Now, those were very popular in the late sort of '40s, '50s, '60s,

up until the '70s, really.

And they're all really back in fashion now.

Silver and white gold as opposed to yellow gold.

-That's right.

-That's what the young ones want.

-So, shall we ask if we can...

-Would you like to look at it?

-Yes. I would.

-There he is.

Hello. Can we just ask you to have a look at this bangle in here, please?

Now, let's have a look.

-It's simple.

-That's really nice.

Look for the dents.

Very often, they're hollow, bangles,

so they're sort of rounded but hollow inside.

And those are the ones that are more easily bashed.

-OK.

-This is solid.

Been bent round and the fastening is like this. How it works...

Do you see what I mean? It goes like that, so you can make it bigger.

-You can make it bigger.

-Or smaller.

-Yes.

Now, you've got £40.

-Oh, £40.

-1947.

And we've got the full hallmark here.

So we've got the lion, we've got the leopard's head for London,

and the K figure there. What do I think it will make at auction?

It might make £35.

Do you think they would accept 25?

Really, you'd be looking at 35.

-I'd like to take a chance on it.

-Would you?

-35.

-Would you?

-Mm.

-Yes.

-Would you, Peter?

-Yeah, I'm happy with that.

And that makes it 2-1 to the Blues, with 35 minutes gone.

Whilst the teams carry on shopping,

I've been finding out how restoration work on one of

England's architectural gems has been given a modern twist.

This is Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham,

built from 1747 and arguably one of

the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in the UK.

It was a method of design that was unusual for homes in the 18th century.

It drew its inspiration from the architecture of medieval castles

and cathedrals, with their arches, finials, and asymmetrical style.

Well, this building now stands as an elegant example of that period.

It hasn't always been so.

Strawberry Hill House was the brainchild of Horace Walpole,

the son of Sir Robert Walpole, Britain's first Prime Minister.

He spent 40 years turning two semidetached houses

into his dream Gothic Revival home.

Of course, time takes its toll, and over the centuries

this building has been altered frequently,

finally becoming a teacher training college in 1923.

Now, £9 million has been spent, bringing this building back

up to scratch and the restoration continues apace.

I'm here to meet Nick Dolan, who'll tell me more.

-Nick, wow! Hi.

-Hello, Natasha.

-This is wonderful.

I was promised Gothic. That's exactly what we have here.

-And I'm focusing on that staircase.

-The staircase itself,

it was based actually on the library staircase at Rouen Cathedral.

So talk me through this wallpaper. It's a real trick of the eye.

It's an extraordinary recreation.

It's actually based on the design of Worcester Cathedral.

But it's deliberately there to fool the eye,

and give that recreation of a Gothic interior.

And of course, it's got some of the original 18th-century wall covering revealed.

Now, it's an unbelievable resource to have the original wallpaper.

-Yes.

-But it's not the sole resource, is it?

-Some of the extraordinary

watercolours that Horace Walpole himself commissioned

but actually they show how literally the re-creation has been.

It looks like we're standing in that painting.

-It's beautifully reconstructed, amazingly done.

-Yes.

So, I must see more of Strawberry Hill because I want to compare it

-to other drawings.

-There's plenty to see.

-I'm here to inspect.

All of Walpole's showrooms and private rooms have been restored.

But what's still missing are the contents.

Horace Walpole was one of the 18th century's greatest art collectors,

but in 1842, 45 years after his death, his collection of paintings,

ceramics, coins, miniatures, sculptures and furniture

was sold off, some ending up in America.

The auction was dubbed "the sale of the century".

Now, curators here at Strawberry Hill are using modern technology

to try and recreate Walpole's collection.

So we know there was a great auction but it must have left

lots of gaps in the collection. How are you trying to fill them?

So, now, we try to find them and get them back in loans,

bequests, and where we can't get the items back,

then actually, we have re-creations, based on the original,

for example this wonderful piece,

a double portrait of Horace Walpole's mother and father, Robert

and Catherine, with their country seat, Houghton Hall, Norfolk.

Commissioned by Walpole for this room by Eckardt.

But the original is too fragile to travel from America,

and they've kindly given us permission to use the technology

which is three-dimensional printing.

Layers and layers of photographs in different lights to create,

if you like, the landscape of the painting in three-dimensional form.

And then transposed into a three-dimensional model

that is printed out and then the colourways are layered

-and layered on top of that.

-Everything about it looks authentic.

If I move around and allow the light to go over the oil,

I can see cracks in the painting.

I can see bumps in the canvas.

I can see brushstrokes, texture.

Really, genuinely, this is 21st century?

-Really.

-How good is that!

Well, I'm going to enjoy exploring Strawberry Hill.

-Nick, thank you so much for telling me about it.

-Pleasure.

In the meantime, it's time to get back to Kingston Antiques Centre

to see how our teams are getting on with the shopping.

The Blues currently have two items, the Reds only one,

and with just 15 minutes left, Nick's feeling the pressure.

I thought it was going to be a breeze. Here we are, 45 minutes on,

we've got to get these last two things bought.

It's going to be a disaster.

Stay positive, Nick, things could be looking up.

-We really like this area.

-Oh, right. The whole area.

-The whole area.

-You're going to buy the whole lot?

-I quite like this sort of dark china.

-That bowl.

So these kind of vases, the bowl, there's a planter.

OK. They are all decorative and they are all Chinese.

They are all very modern reproductions.

-Ah, OK.

-The Chinese box we looked at earlier

was early to mid-20th century,

so it had a bit of a vintage thing going on, but these are quite new.

-OK.

-And I think these will be a hard sell.

-OK.

-They are very much retail pieces, rather than auction pieces.

-OK. We've got to hunt down some real antiques.

-I think move on.

-Yeah.

-Yeah?

-Move on.

-Happy with that?

-Yeah.

-Come on, then.

Chop, chop, Reds. Time's running out.

The Blues are also clock watching.

-What about stopwatches?

-Stopwatches?

-Are they...

-What about them?

-Do they go at auction?

No, I don't think so.

-No?

-Look at the face.

-No. No.

-OK, then.

-They always remind me of school.

Those blooming awful running races with the stopwatch. No.

Well, both teams could do with some sprinting, especially you,

Reds, with two items still to find and only ten minutes left.

See that necklace hanging at the back there with the red beads

and the tiny black beads?

That red is what we call Chinese cinnabar lacquer,

a very complex technique of lacquer work

that gives that wonderful orangey red, that buyers of

Chinese lacquer work and works of art collectables love.

It's on a 1930s Art Deco design piece of jewellery.

So it's ticking that Deco collector.

-You like it?

-No, I don't like them.

But you told me you liked Art Deco.

I think jewellery is...

..a gamble to buy.

Does sell well at auction.

Traditionally, jewellery does very well.

It's going to boil down to the price, then, really, isn't it?

-Mm-hmm.

-OK, there you go.

-Thank you very much.

OK. So... There's the necklace.

There's those beads.

-It's beautiful.

-There's the ticket.

£38, that's not a bad price.

It's got a pretty little clasp as well. It is not gold,

it's gilded base metal, but it's all pierced, look.

A beautiful thing. Nice quality.

What are your thoughts? Come on. Come on, tell me.

-I like that.

-Would you wear that?

-I'd wear it, yeah.

-What about you, Maggie?

-There's no way I would wear that.

I still prefer my box.

-Well, you could still buy the box.

-We can get the box and that.

With time running out, that sounds like a good compromise to me.

You've chosen one thing each, that's fair then, isn't it?

-OK.

-Do you think? Yeah?

-Yeah.

-Right.

-We just need to negotiate the price down.

For that, we need Leslie. Hello, Leslie.

Now, look, we think we'd like to buy this.

-What's the best price on that?

-34.

32 is a nice round number, threes and twos.

It goes with your tops, doesn't it, girls?

-Yeah.

-Go on.

-£32.

-Yes.

-Right, shake Leslie's hand.

-Brilliant.

-Finally, their second buy!

Thank you very, very much.

Right. We now need to go and see if that box is still there

and do the same thing again, negotiate that price down.

-OK.

-Come on.

Teams, you now have less than five minutes to buy your final item.

See, we've been down there, haven't we?

-We've done all that area...

-What about the mirror?

Oh, my goodness! That looks to me like it's in a cafe area.

That's probably part of the fixtures and fittings.

-They won't miss it, will they?

-Do you think they might sell it?

It does look a stonking great thing.

It's very, very modern, I'm sure.

-Yeah.

-And I think that would look fabulous on a big white wall.

Imagine that in a big, modern apartment.

-Yeah, that would look lovely.

-It really would.

-Yes.

Oh, look. Hello!

I feel like Juliet.

Hello, Romeo.

Could you, pray, tell me the price of your heart?

-On the wall?

-It's really not for sale...

-Oh, right, OK.

-But they will actually let it go for £100.

-What do you think?

-I think...

We haven't spent much up until this point.

-That is nice.

-That is.

For £100, you want it.

-Yes.

-Are we sure?

-£100, Yes.

Romeo, yes, please.

Brilliant. I am delighted.

-Wow!

-All three.

-All within the closing moments.

All done. Come on.

-Well done.

-Wonderful.

Well done indeed.

Job done, Blues.

Reds, you just have minutes left.

It's still here.

Good. Grab it. Let's go and grab Leslie, see what price we can get.

Right.

-Leslie... Hi.

-Hello.

Now, we're running very short of time...

-Right, OK.

-..and would like to know what price this can be, please.

Right, it's very pretty.

Let's see. Lovely jewellery box, with the key.

-Yeah.

-Which is always a good thing.

-35.

It's not much of a discount.

-We were thinking more around...

-She's got trade three on there.

-I'll do 34.

-I think that's the best you're going to get.

-It is, yeah.

-You've got to buy it or not.

-It is lovely.

-It's £34.

-It is nicely lined, actually. It's got the original key.

-Yeah.

Time is against us, ladies.

£34, yes or no?

-Yes.

-One minute. We've got one minute.

-Yes.

-Are you sure? Yes?

-OK.

-Grudgingly, yes.

-Yes.

-Do it.

-We've got a deal.

-Right, done.

-OK.

-Thank you.

Oh, that was tight!

Right then, teams, the time's up.

Let's go and have a lie down in a dark room, come on.

Let's remind ourselves what the Red team bought.

First up, they're hoping these lamps will light up the auction.

£78 paid.

Their second item was a compromise.

Katie liked this necklace, bought for £32...

..and Maggie chose their third buy and spent £34 on this wooden box.

Reds, you had me on the edge of my seat.

One minute left.

Cutting it fine. Nick, you must have been a bit worried.

Yes, I was having kittens.

That's one way of putting it.

-One minute left.

-We got there in the end.

-We got there in the end.

-And there is some real variety.

So which, then, of the three items, Katie, is your favourite?

So I really like the necklace.

And that's the one I fought hardest for cos you weren't...

-I wasn't so keen, no.

-..particularly keen.

OK. So is it going to bring the biggest profit, that's the question?

I actually think the lamps are going to bring the biggest profit.

I think they're just more of a sure bet.

So, Maggie, tell me, do you agree? Which is your favourite item?

-The lamps, yes.

-The lamps! OK.

And I think they will bring the most profit.

OK, so, tell me how much you spent in total.

-144.

-144, which leaves 156,

which quite clearly you've got there, Katie.

Nick, it doesn't stay with me for long.

-It doesn't.

-Over to you.

-It won't stay with me long either.

So your work's not quite done.

It's not, no. I'm going to, in homage to my team here,

find something chic and elegant.

-Oh!

-OK. Sounds promising.

So, while Nick goes to buy a bonus for the ladies,

let's remind ourselves what the Blue team bought.

First up, they forked out £18 on these knife rests.

Next, Chris wanted some silver, and paid £35 for this bangle.

And finally, it wasn't actually for sale

but they bought this mirror from the cafe for £100.

OK, Peter, Chris, Caroline, the hour's up,

you can breathe a sigh of relief.

Which, Peter, is your favourite of the three?

Difficult one, but I think the mirror is my favourite,

but the dogs will make the most money.

-So you think they'll bring the biggest profit.

-Yes, not much.

Chris, are you in agreement with your great friend here?

-Is the mirror your favourite.

-No, it's not.

My favourite is the silver bangle. I really like that.

I do agree with Peter on this, the dogs will make the most profit.

OK. So, finally, you're in agreement about something.

Yes. For once in our lives.

So, 153 spent means 147 is left over.

-Who's got it?

-I have.

OK, Peter, hand it over.

-I know it hurts.

-It hurts, it hurts, yes.

But it's going straight to your expert, Caroline Hawley.

-Thank you very much.

-Who has...any ideas?

I have a few ideas.

Yes. But nothing definite.

Well, best of luck, Caroline, trying to find a bonus buy.

It's time now for us to head to the auction.

And, of course, I'm joined by Catherine Southon herself.

Thank you so much for having us along.

It's lovely to have you, Natasha.

We'll start with the Reds, Maggie and Katie.

We're starting with these very retro lamps.

-I love them. Catherine?

-I adore them.

-Cool!

They are just so wicked. I'd have them today.

I would buy them, happily take them home.

1970s, lovely stepped design there.

There's not a huge amount to them. And I love the olive shade there.

They are quite simple, but they just scream style.

What do you think your buyers will be willing to pay?

Easily pay 50-70.

-They paid 78.

-Yeah, I think they did good.

And then we move onto something that isn't quite as authentic

-as our lamps.

-Mm.

-Reproduction, we think, this lacquer necklace.

But do you think, although repro, it's pretty stylish?

The thing is, Natasha, so many of these are produced and they've got

these sort of black bead spacers

in the middle of this sort of Cinnabar Chinese bead

and people want really to buy the real authentic.

I've only put £10-£20 on.

-They were happy to pay £32.

-Right, well, I hope I'm proved wrong.

And then we move onto another modern item.

Again, East Asian its style, but very much a different item.

-It's a box.

-It's quite nicely lined inside.

And it's quite well carved,

in high relief of these dragons sweeping around.

But it's essentially... brand-new, I'm afraid.

Purely because of that, £10-£20.

OK. Well, once again, the team paid £34 this time...

-Yeah.

-..for this item. So...

..it looks like they might need to lean on their bonus buy, doesn't it?

They might. But I'm hoping that that will win it for them.

OK. Well, just in case the lamps don't do as well as we think

they will, let's see what Nick bought as a bonus buy.

OK. Chic and elegant.

-Oh!

-Fits the bill.

-I...

-Yeah, I like it.

-Do you?

-Oh! Well, it's definitely you.

-What... Is that... Is that marble?

-It is, yeah.

-OK, yeah.

-What we've got here is a classic French bedside cabinet.

-Oh, yeah?

-Marble top.

You've got quartered fruit wood veneers,

carved, elegant, chic and elegant, I thought.

-How much did you pay?

-Ah! I paid a measly £60.

-OK.

-Oh!

-Yeah.

-My worry is it looks like one of a pair.

You can buy them in pairs, you can also buy them singly.

With a nice lamp on as a side cabinet,

don't have to be a bedside table.

-OK.

-I was hoping it was a little bit of ooh-la-la.

And how much do you think someone will be willing to pay for that?

Well, in the past, I've sold these and I've got nearly £100 for them.

-Oh, right.

-So I'm hoping there's profit left in it.

-Sounds good.

-Yeah, yeah.

OK, ladies, well, I think Nick is slowly but surely selling it to you.

-Yes.

-Remember, you don't make your minds up just yet.

So it's time for us to find out what Catherine, our auctioneer,

thinks of Nick's chic and elegant bonus buy.

So Nick's choice is an interesting one.

He's gone for a bit of furniture.

-Mmm.

-It's a bedside cabinet.

Be nice if we had a pair, again, either side of the bed...

And I have had interest. People have been phoning up about this.

£40-£60.

Nick will be pleased to see some interest in it

because he paid £60 for it. OK, so, let's turn to the Blues.

Friends Chris and Peter.

Now, first up is the set of knife rests.

What do you think of these dachshunds?

I think they're lovely. I think they're really quite charming

and people do like these little dachshunds.

I sometimes call them little sausage dogs but whatever they are,

they look lovely. Nice to have six there.

The thing is they are knife rests.

-They're made from Perspex.

-What do you think they going to make?

I've put £10-£20 on, but they'll make more than that.

They will, won't they? Yeah.

The team paid £18,

so hopefully they'll be pleased with the overall result.

And then our second item, it's this strap bangle,

hallmarked for London, 1947.

It's got a nice, very simple geometric design around it.

It's quite current, quite fashionable.

-I think it will sell all day long. £20-£40, no problem.

-OK.

Well, hopefully, we'll get towards the higher end of the estimate

because they did pay £35 for it.

And then we've got our mirror.

Our glorious heart-shaped mirror.

Yes. I think you can't walk past it and not look at it.

Or look at yourself in it.

It's not my taste, but people like it.

It's very modern, and I think in today's market, it will sell.

-So what do you think people will pay for it?

-I think £50-£70.

-They spent 100 on it.

-Right...

-But stranger things have happened.

-Yes.

-But you look a wee bit worried about it.

-I am quite worried about that, Natasha.

-Well, if you're worried,

don't worry, because Caroline might come to the rescue.

Let's find out what she bought for the Blues as a bonus buy.

Well, there's only one person here who knows what's beneath

the blue cloth so, Caroline, let us all in on your secret.

-Are you ready?

-Yes.

-Yes.

-Oh!

-Oh!

-Do you like it?

-You've got Mettoy.

Can I...?

Isn't it gorgeous?

It's a Mettoy Supertype...

From the 1950s.

From the 1950s. Exactly. It's tin plate, it's in great condition.

-I just love it.

-Oh, I love it.

Aw, that brings back memories.

-Right.

-Does it really actually?

-Yes, I did have one.

No! That's so cool.

So how does it work with the central dial, then?

Well, you just turn it to whichever...

-You choose your letter.

-And then you go...

-..click, like that.

-Nice.

-It takes about an hour to do a sentence.

-Oh, does it? Never mind!

-How much did you pay for it?

I paid 17 for it,

which I think is a good price.

And I think that's going to get certainly 30.

-Really?

-Might get 40.

-Yes.

OK. So, Blues, you're overall quite happy with that?

-Yes.

-Very happy.

-But you don't need to make your minds up just yet.

Right now it's time to find out what Catherine thinks of the typewriter.

So, here it is. Caroline's gone for a vintage toy.

And I'll bet you love it.

I adore that.

As soon as I saw it, I thought, yeah, this is a piece of class.

Love the colour. It screams just retro to me.

The condition is against it.

A bit of rust here and there and really £15-£20.

OK. Well, Caroline must have done a deal because she got it for

-the odd number £17.

-Oh, yes.

I think I can say in summary that you're going to have your work

-cut out for both teams today.

-Yes.

So, maybe good luck from the rostrum, Catherine?

-It's going to be a challenge.

-I'm sure you'll rise to it.

You always do.

65. Can I say 70?

75, I've got now. Can I say 80?

Right, Katie, Maggie, look,

this is it, crunch time.

-Do I detect some nerves?

-I think we are a bit nervous.

It's kind of thinking through the decisions we were making

-when we got everything.

-Are you saying in hindsight you're going...

-"Why did we buy that?!"

-Yes, indeed, yes.

The first lot is the pair of lamps.

-You paid £78 for them. Are you ready?

-Yes.

-Yes.

Here they come.

These are fantastic.

A really nice pair of vintage 1970s pine table lamp stands.

And I've got £55 here.

55 and looking for 60.

£55.

-Come on.

-No, more!

-55...

-Come on.

-Come on, I'm looking for £60.

Are you all alive?

Thank you. £60.

I have on the internet £60.

Out of commission £60.

-Oh!

-Oh!

-Surprise loss. Wasn't expecting that.

It's a loss of 18.

Right, here we go. £32 you paid for the necklace.

-Are you ready?

-Yes.

-Here it comes.

Lot 305.

We have a reproduction Chinese red lacquer bead necklace.

And... £10?

£10. £10, I have.

-Oh!

-15 anywhere?

15? No?

15? Ten, I'll sell, then.

-£10.

-Sold at ten.

That was quick. That was cruel.

£10, that's another loss of 22.

Overall, we are minus 40, ladies.

Here we go. Ladies, are you with me?

Our third and final lot is the jewellery box.

-You paid £34. Are you ready?

-Yeah.

Lot 306. A modern hardwood jewellery box.

And I've got £10 for this. I'm looking for 15.

£10, looking for 15.

15, I have. 20.

Five. 25, I have.

30 now. 35.

-35, looking for 40 now. 35, I have.

-Oh!

35. Yours.

£35, fair warning.

-35 is a profit of £1.

-Yay!

That takes you down to minus 39.

Do you want to go over the bonus buy?

It's one you have to consider carefully.

-Well, I think...

-Why not?

-Why not.

-Why not.

-Why not?

-Yeah.

-Going to go for it?

-Yes.

-We trust you.

OK, Nick, the ladies are going for your French bedside cabinet.

-Yeah.

-Here it comes.

Lot 310.

A French bedside cabinet, early 20th century.

£40, I've got on the internet to start this.

£40, is there 50?

£40. 50 is bid.

Thank you. £50.

-Come on. Come on.

-60.

-Yes.

60, lady's bid. Come on, internet. 65.

65, thank you.

-Yes! Yes.

-65, do you want one more?

Are you sure? 70.

-Yes!

-75. 75, it is yours, madam.

That is good auctioneering.

Well done.

£75, a £15 profit.

That makes you minus 24 overall.

-That's better.

-That's pretty good.

-That's better.

-You've seen Bargain Hunt a million times,

you know that even though it's a loss, you could win overall.

Fingers crossed.

So keep it to yourselves, say nothing to the competition, OK?

Chris, Peter, Caroline, we are all here for one reason -

to try and make a profit. Do you think that's on the cards?

-Yes.

-I think so.

-You do?

-And the golden gavel.

-Of course, two reasons, then.

Profits and golden gavel.

Our first lot is the item that you both thought was going to bring the

biggest profit. It's your set of six dachshunds.

-Here they come.

-Lot 320 four.

We have a delightful set of...

Yes, they're plastic,

but they are knife rests, and they are in the form of dachshunds.

What shall we say?

-20.

-OK.

20. Oh, she wants these. 30.

40? 40.

-40.

-No!

-50.

60. I'll take five, if it helps.

Any more at £60, then?

£60.

Well done, you two.

£60. Your family is going to be so chuffed.

That is a profit of £42.

Let's keep it going with this bangle.

-You paid 35. Here it comes.

-Lot 325.

Mid-20th century silver strap bangle.

It's quite a nice design.

We like this. £20?

£20. Internet is five.

Would you like another, madam?

Thank you. £30.

Thank you. £30.

Lady's bid at £30.

Five now. 40, thank you.

45 now.

50, thank you.

£50. Against you, internet.

I've got 50, then. £50.

£50.

£50, well done!

OK. That's another £15.

So, where are we? We are at plus 57.

OK. Are you ready? This is the risk.

£100 paid for this mirror. I really hope you get a profit.

Lot 326.

The contemporary mirror in the form of a heart.

And you can put this in any room you wish.

£50, please.

£50 to start this.

50. Five.

60. Five.

70. Five.

80 behind.

Five, I've got.

90. 100 with me.

-110.

-Yes!

We've done it!

130. 140. 145. 150 with me.

160. It's with you at 160, at the back of the room at 160.

£160.

£160.

That's brilliant.

That's another £60.

Add that to your total.

£117 profit.

But now Caroline comes into question because she bought you an

interesting '50s toy, spent £17 on it. Do you want to go with it?

-There's no doubt.

-Yes.

-No doubt whatsoever.

Utterly trust you.

Great. Here comes the bonus buy.

332.

This is a retro toy typewriter.

£15.

Thank you. £15.

I'm looking for 20. Come on, ladies and gents.

£20. £20, anyone?

-£20.

-One more!

-Just one more!

-Come on, £20.

Anyone? 20.

No?

SHE GRUNTS

Oh, gosh!

It's no big deal.

£15 is the end result.

Tiny loss of £2.

Takes you down to, overall,

a brilliant, brilliant profit of £115.

We couldn't have done it without you.

I'm not going to tell you how the Reds got on

-and don't you say a word to them.

-No.

It's very difficult to keep a straight face.

-Very difficult.

-Promise me you will.

-Yeah.

We will.

One team ended in profit, one team ended in loss.

So our winners today are the Blues...

Well done. ..with a profit of £115, by the by.

We told you, we told you.

Unbelievable.

-What?!

-How did you do that?!

Reds, a very noble effort, it was a loss, I'm afraid, of £24.

But it could have been worse.

Nick Hall got you out of a hole, actually.

-Yes.

-But it wasn't all bad.

You had such a wonderful familial link and it's all been really cheery, hasn't it?

It's been really great fun, hasn't it?

-Really good fun.

-But let's turn to the Blues.

I mean, seriously, Blues.

You sort of showed our viewers at home how it's done.

It was profit after profit after profit and, as we all know,

three profits on this programme...

Make a golden gavel.

Make a golden gavel! So before I give you the golden gavel,

let me first give you the money.

-Thank you.

-£115.

Now, you've got a plan for it, don't you?

Yes. We'd like to donate it to charity.

Well, you are very noble winners

and...

..noble...

-That's what we came for.

-Unbelievable.

You have now been inducted into a hall of fame of sorts.

-Thank you.

-The golden gavel is yours.

Wear it on your fleeces with pride. That was brilliant to watch.

And of course it's just brought you two closer together,

-hasn't it?

-Oh, of course.

Love him even more now.

-Aw!

-What a lovely endorsement for the programme.

And if you want to join us, then apply to be on the programme.

All the details are on the screen.

Of course, join us again for some more bargain hunting.

-Yes? ALL:

-Yes!