Bargain Hunt rules you never knew from hidden earnings to strict fleece policy

Daily Mirror

15-07-2025

BBC Bargain Hunt has been a daytime TV favourite for 21 years now, but not everything is what it seems. The popular BBC show has a number of hidden rules for those who appear on it
For many, appearing on the BBC's Bargain Hunt may seem like a pipe dream, but for some avid antique enthusiasts, it becomes a reality. They find themselves in front of the cameras, divided into red and blue teams, paired with an expert, and their chosen items are sent to auction.
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One pressing question is, 'Do participants get to keep the fleece?' Fortunately, we have the answer to that and more, including the modest "earnings" participants can gain from being on the show. According to the official BBC website, filming is a "slow process" requiring several days to be set aside for aspiring stars.
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The website confirms that buyers are required all day at the antiques fair to browse and all day at the auction house to witness their items being sold. However, the organisation verifies that the one-hour shopping limit is indeed restricted to just 60 minutes.
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Each antique fair day provides enough footage for four or five episodes of the show, so they won't be the only buyers present on the day. Family and friends are not permitted to attend filming, although anyone in the background of a shot could appear on TV unless they ask not to be filmed, reports the Liverpool Echo.
After submitting an application to feature on the programme, potential stars will be asked to record a brief video of themselves to send to the BBC. They'll then be invited to an online audition, where researchers will assess how they respond to being on TV.
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The BBC typically assigns contestants either red or blue teams at random. For special episodes, however, they might grant a preferred colour if requested.
Each duo is handed a starting kitty of £300 by show producers to splurge on various antiques, with any leftover cash being funnelled into a bonus buy picked out by their expert. After the gavel falls at auction, the contestants pocket any profits made from their sales.
Bargain Hunt fanatics have been bustling on Reddit sharing tales and triumphs from the show. A user recollected his girlfriend's stint on the series, where she snagged a small win of about £30.
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This admission triggered a wave of comments, including one exclaiming: "£30 is megabucks on Bargain Hunt!"
Contestants are also allowed to hold onto the famous Bargain Hunt fleece as a keepsake, which are stripped of their original brand tags, Regatta, prior to filming. A Redditor confirmed this perk, writing: "You do [get to keep it]. If I remember correctly it's a Regatta fleece, nice and warm. They snip the Regatta tag off the zipper before filming."
Echoing this sentiment, another piped up with credibility, saying: "I used to work on Bargain Hunt, can confirm that you get to keep the fleece."
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The iconic high kick that caps off each episode has become a talking point, with guests reportedly often only given a single shot at it.
Reflecting on their stint on the show, an ex-participant reminisced: "I was on it a couple of years ago. There were so many reshoots over the two days that when it came to the kick, I completely half-a***d it, expecting at least one more go at it. Only take. Horrendously bad!"
On their website, the BBC has outlined specific rules for acquiring items, cautioning: "We have a few rules. No weapons (including swords). We are also very wary of items made of animal products or parts. And if you buy something large, make sure you can carry it!".