29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
Salvage Hunter Drew Pritchard's major 'all good thing must end' announcement leaves fans stunned
Drew Pritchard, the North Wales 'rock star' of Britain's antiques trade, has shocked fans by calling time on his Salvage Hunter career. Having presented 245 episodes of the hit TV show over 14 years, his 20th series – already filmed – will be his last.
The Conwy-born dealer hinted he may be quitting TV altogether, preferring instead to focus on the restoration of his Georgian town house in Bath, Somerset. Drew is also hoping to spend more time with his other great love – 'messing around with my old cars'.
The antiques guru has been hailed a 'junkyard genius' for the way he finds treasures in other people's scrap. Having made his TV debut in 2011, he said his Salvage Hunter stint had been an 'incredible privilege'.
Drew announced he was bowing out in an Instagram video filmed at his house in Bath, which he moved into two years ago after selling his 1820s townhouse in Conwy town. Disappointed fans begged him not to go, saying that getting a new presenter would be like 'replacing the shark in Jaws with a dolphin'.
Salvage Hunters, produced by Curve Media, and shown on Quest TV, followed Drew as he travelled Britain in search of antiques from shops, fairs and mansions to restore and resell from his Conwy base. Along with his old house, much of his collection was sold to fund the purchase and renovation of his 'dream' period property in Bath.
Perched on a vintage leather armchair, and wearing his trademark black glasses, Drew said: 'They say all good things must come to an end, and the next series of Salvage Hunters, which we shot last year and airs in the autumn, is my last. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
'When I got the gig to do Salvage, I was determined to give as an honest representation of the antiques trade that I possibly could. I strived to represent the fun and the excitement and the history and the beauty of it all – and the hard work and the living that is to be had from it.
"So, what am I going to do next? Well, I'm just going to continue what I've always done, which is to continue antiquing, and I'm going to carry on messing around with my old cars, and I'm going to finish my house.'
Salvage Hunters has become a global hit attracting 22 million viewers in 52 countries. For the teenager who left Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy at 16 with no qualifications, being picked to front the show was transformative, cementing his reputation as a respected antiques dealer while turning him into a TV personality with fans around the world.
Over the years, some 19 expert co-presenters have joined Drew on the show, including ex-wife Rebecca. Several, like Alister Dryburgh and Viki Knott, have become firm friends in their shared quest to uncover hidden gems.
Though he's leaving, Drew is sure the show's magic formula will continue to lure viewers. He said: 'The programme is now in the very safe hands of some really good dealers, some good friends ... Al and Viki and one new dealer that's not been announced yet. Please give them a chance, OK, like you did with me. Trust me, please do, it'll be worth it."
Thanking viewers for their support, Drew added: 'The production team on Salvage has been like a family to me these last 15-16 years. In fact, there are many crew who have been with us from day one. That is a very special and rare thing in television and I would like to thank everyone at Curve for their tireless work.
'It's been an incredible privilege for me to grace your screens and I can't really thank you all enough for it, I really can't. So everyone, take care, thank you so much.' Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
Fans saluted Drew for the way he transformed people's approach to home interiors. More than that, the man with the Midas touch was celebrated for changing perspectives through his 're-use and renovate' mantra.
Applauding Drew, an antiques emporium said his successor has big shoes to fill. Its owner said: 'Thank you for educating us for free and for making millions of homes around the world less boring. It was more than just fronting a TV show, you created a movement taking commercial items and using them to decorate your home.
'It's going to be incredibly hard for anyone (else) to bring something new to the table. I can't help thinking it's going to be like replacing the shark in Jaws with a dolphin. We shall see!'
