‘I was on Bargain Hunt and here’s what no one tells you about the show’

Bargain Hunt has been on our screens for more than 25 years and remains popular to this day, but there is still so much about the show that people don’t know about.

A former contestant has peeled back the lid on what it’s really like to feature in an episode and answered viewers' most-asked questions.

At home, we get to see the red team take on the blue team to see who can score the most profit - but what really goes on behind the scenes?

Craig, who appeared on episode 20 of series 67, told his followers on TikTok he decided to go on the show with his husband, Mark.

He recounted the experience, recalling the team told the couple they were “too relaxed” during the filming process.

He explained in a video: “When my husband and I go to antiques places, you just have a casual browse, you take your time. I wasn’t used to rushing around.”

There are often rumours about how long filming actually takes, and one fan of the show commented on Craig’s video: “I’ve read that it's about 3 hours then it’s edited and the prices are fixed before filming.”

Craig confirmed it “genuinely was an hour” and that all the prices were real too.

One thing everybody wants to know is do contestants get to keep the fleeces? Craig said that he and his husband did, joking: “We’re going to wear them for car boot sales.”

Viewers also wanted to know more about the application process to appear on the show, and Craig explained it took a few months for him to hear back from the production team.

He said of his experience: “Overall it was really good, I really enjoyed it, everyone was really nice.”

To appear on Bargain Hunt, people can apply via an online application. The only rules are both members of the team must be older than 18, but there is no upper age limit as long as you’re “fit for the challenge”, the BBC explains.

If your application is successful at the initial stage, you will get invited to do an audition over video call, which could come several months after you first submit your application.

Contestants don’t need to be experts in antiques, as the BBC is interested in “lively people who love antiques and collectables”. The broadcaster said that when it comes to the show, “enthusiasm is key”.

The BBC also reiterated Craig’s point about the one hour shopping time, stating that while filming is a “slow process”, they are strict when it comes to the time that contestants have when scouting out goods.