David Fergus
Expert
How do you find life on the road with Bargain Hunt?
Life on the road with Bargain Hunt gives me the chance to see some lovely parts of the country I otherwise wouldn't have seen.
What is your favourite part of your role?
The favourite part of my role is being able to pass on my knowledge to the contestants.
Why did you choose a career in antiques?
I chose a career in antiques because I was a collector, and spent a lot of my free time at auctions and antique centres looking for glass.
What would you do for a living if you weren’t working in the antiques trade?
If I wasn't in the antiques trade, I would like to be a photographer again. I did it for 22 years in the Royal Air Force.
What advice would you give to anyone wanting to work in antiques?
The advice I would give to anyone wanting to get into the antiques business is be prepared to get dirty, because some of the items that come to us are filthy.
How did you get involved in Bargain Hunt?
Someone on the Bargain Hunt team saw some social media videos I did for work and asked if I wanted to be part of the team. It didn't take me long to say yes!
Which fairs do you particularly like shopping at when bargain hunting?
Newark is closer to home for me but it’s also huge so there's plenty of items to choose from.
What’s the most profit / greatest loss you’ve made at auction?
The biggest profit I've made at auction was for a Whitefriars vase I found in a vintage shop for £10. I recently sold it for £400.
What is your biggest guilty pleasure?
I don't really have a guilty pleasure.
How do you spend your free time?
I spend my spare time with my family or fishing and cycling, but not at the same time!
Do you collect anything?
I mainly collect mid-20th Century glass from Bohemia but will buy glass from other makers if I like the look of it.
Why do you think Bargain Hunt has such appeal?
Bargain Hunt has such appeal because we all want to find a bargain and quite often we see items on the show that we have in our homes or remember seeing in a relative’s house. We can feel the contestants’ joy when they get a good result and feel for them when they have a loss.
Why would you encourage anyone to appear on Bargain Hunt?
I would encourage anyone to apply to appear on Bargain Hunt because it’s an iconic show and great fun to do. Come and prove that you really are better than the experts.
