BBC Bargain Hunt star makes dig at bosses after changes to show's format

Bargain Hunt expert Jonathan Pratt has taken a subtle dig at BBC cost-cutting measures during an interview with GB News. When asked about his favourite expert to 'spar' with, he chose Phil Serrell but noted: "Well, they [the BBC] don't do it so much now because they try not to get you to travel too far for their carbon footprint or whatever, you know. But who do I like sparring against the most? I used to love going against Phil Serrell in Wales."

He praised Serrell's expertise, saying, "He's a grumpy so-and-so, but he's lovely. He's a really good guy. Great knowledge; if anyone can make a £20 profit out of an old tree stump, it's Phil. That's his speciality."

However, changes within the show have been noteworthy since Christina Trevanion now travels around the UK in a mobile auction house in Travelling Auctioneers, which debuted in 2022 on BBC One. Last month, fans noticed cuts to the auction segments, and the introduction of four teams to the auction block instead of the prior two. The altered format featured red and blue teams facing the hammer separately within an episode – a switch that hasn't sat well with all the program's supporters.

Viewers of Bargain Hunt expressed mixed reactions to recent changes in the show's format, with some lamenting the shortened episodes. One disgruntled viewer took to social media: "Don't like these shortened shows, miss auctioneer's comments!!" while another queried: "Hi, we enjoy watching #BargainHunt but why the change in format at the moment @BBC? " However, not all feedback was negative as some praised the more concise episodes, reports the Express.

A pleased fan commented: "Loving the double episodes. Cutting out the unnecessary stuff. The host asking what's going to make the most profit and the auctioneer's valuations. Much better. I wonder why it's changed but I hope it continues."

The episode in question was an "extended version," seemingly combining two episodes, and this new approach persisted across a week's worth of the show.