Live Shows

Daytime Bargain Hunt live was back again, 1st-5th November 2004. David was one of the experts on the first two programmes, along with Graham Lay. Bubbly Tim Wonnacott was of course the presenter.

1st November, Golding's Auction Rooms, Grantham, Lincolnshire.

As I pulled into the car park I saw David and Graham. It was the first time I'd met Graham and he's a very nice, friendly guy. Once inside, there isn't much time to talk, as there is always rehearsals going on.

So I had a good look round the lots and took some pictures. I also met Colin Young, the auctioneer at Golding's and another Bargain Hunt expert. On seeing my shirt with the website address on he said 'There are better experts you know'? But then added , 'But I'm not one of them'!

Later in the day I was asked if I would be on the voxpox part of the show, where Tim talks to people live on camera. I didn't quite have the nerve. But tomorrow is another day.... Meantime it looks like The Likely Lads want to join in the bidding!

The red team with David were Margaret and Lisa and their items were;

Silver cat thimble - bought for £8 sold for £21

Art Deco cheese dish - bought for £20 sold for £14

Set of Art Nouveau buttons - bought for £95 sold for £65

The swap item was a moonstone ring - bought for £45 sold for £38

Margaret and Lisa decided not to swap and overall made a loss of £23. If they had of gone with David's swap item they would have broke even. Which means they would have then been winners, as the blue team of Alison and Kathleen made an overall loss of £4.

In the afternoon David and I went for a walk round Grantham and went into Notions antique centre. The centre is divided into rooms with individual sellers. David got recognised by just about everyone and these two ladies, Kelly and Pat, who have just taken a room in the antiques centre, couldn't believe it when David walked in. Suffice to say, it made their day! However, we did all agree that the wallpaper was a little over the top!

2nd November, Golding's Auction Rooms, Grantham, Lincolnshire.

Day two and back at Golding's. Will I do the voxpox? Well it sounds like it's catching! While Tim rehearses the voxpox spot, ( Pun intended!), it looks like David is seeking a little help.

David was again with the red team of David and Katy. Their items were;

A pewter tea set - bought for £22 sold for £22

Silver fruit knife - bought for £22 sold for £30

French playing cards - bought for £43 sold for £16

The swap item was a Sorrento Ware box - bought for £20 sold for £32

David and Katy decided to go with David's swap item in place of the playing cards and ended with an overall profit of £20. Not quite enough to beat the blue team of Danny and Jo who finished with a profit of £47. But both teams with a profit is a good result, with the red team only £1 away from the Gavel Award!

Oh and the voxpox! Yes I did do it. But what did Tim ask me? My name, where I was from, what I was going to bid on? No. None of those. He remarked on the website and said 'Are you in love with David Barby?' Thanks Tim!

The end of filming and smiles all round.

A week of Bargain Hunt daytime programmes took place from 22nd-26th March 2004 live from Devon. David was one of the experts that week and along with Kate Alcock appeared on the Wednesday and Friday shows. The lovely Tim Wonnacott was presenting as usual. All the items for sale at both auctions were bought at the Newark antiques fair.

24th March, Eldreds Auction Rooms, Plymouth.

David's team were Tracy and Helen and below are the items they bought at the fair.

Cranberry frilled glass vase - bought for £95 sold for £72.

Silver paper retainer - bought for £40 sold for £120.

Chamber pot - bought for £45 sold for £40.

Swap item;

Silver Art Nouveau brooch - bought for £15 sold for £48.

Tracy and Helen decided to swap the Cranberry glass for the brooch found by David. A wise decision. They finished with a fantastic profit of £108!

Bad luck to Kate and her team of Diane and Carole.

26th March, Honiton Galleries, Honiton.

David's team on the last programme of the week were Jeanette and Andrew. Their items were as follows.

Late Georgian desk drawer - bought for £80 sold for £50.

Doulton Sussex spotted pig - bought for £30 sold for £70.

Scottish silver wine funnel - bought for £80 sold for £140.

Swap item;

Georgian toilet box - bought for £40 sold for £60.

Jeanette and Andrew swapped the Georgian desk drawer for the Georgian toilet box picked out by David. Another wise decision. A total profit of £120!!

Bad luck to Kate and her team of Andrea and Jim.

So two wins for David. Both with a profit. Two highest profits of the week and one Grand Slam with all three items making a profit!! David does indeed deserve his title. Truly 'The Master'. '

Live day time Bargain Hunt -- Monday 15th-Tuesday 16th September 2003 Venue-- Wintertons auction rooms Lichfield Staffordshire.

Monday 15th September.

My friend Jackie and I arrived at Wintertons auction rooms early for the viewing at around 8.45. Shortly after walking in we started talking to one of the film crew. Within minutes David walked in and joined us. Tim then came over, so we had good start to the day. However, they soon had to go and join Michael for rehearsals. So Jackie and I took the opportunity to look over the lots and take some pictures.

In this series of Bargain Hunt they've introduced swap items which the teams can exchange for one of the first three lots. It's different, but whether the viewers will vote it a hit I'm not sure.

The lots sold by David's blue team Denise and Shirley were ;

1950's Staffordshire pottery cat - bought for £10 sold for £20.

Doulton Slater's coffee pot and cover - bought for £70 sold for £25.

A Victorian Tunbridge Ware needle case - bought for £20 sold for £48.

The team had decided to swap their fourth item, the Tunbridge Ware for the silver wine funnel. A good choice as the wine funnel only made a profit of £5. But would have been better swapped for the Doulton coffee pot!

Now what's that under the blue cover? It's A Kind Of Magic.

An overall loss of £7. Unfortunately not enough to win on the day. Michael's comment, 'Barby's lost his crown'. A better day tomorrow perhaps because after all, The Show Must Go On.

After the show Jackie and I went outside to find Michael there already with a coffee and cigarette. David had gone to phone Janet, but on his return asked us into the Green Room, where he made us tea and coffee. He insisted we had something to eat, so while we headed for the sandwiches David went straight for the Coronation Chicken! David, Tim and the crew had to stay for more rehearsals, so Jackie and I decided on some sight seeing and on David's recommendation, we went to a Roman Site at Wall and Lichfield Cathedral. Both well worth a visit.

Tuesday 16th September.

I'd been asked on Monday if I would be one of the people that Tim talks to during the show. But I must confess I bottled it! However, Tuesday I decided to go for it. Tim was really great, and it seemed to me that I didn't do too badly.

The clock soon whizzed round to the lots and David and the blue team Carl and Jayne's items were;

A Pietra Dura oval brooch - bought for £135 sold for £120.

Victorian music book - bought for£15 sold for £35.

Doulton 'Sairy Gamp' teapot and cover - bought for £50 sold for £55.

They had decided not to swap their fourth item of a Copenhagen ovoid vase. The vase lost £8, but a total profit of £10 was enough to win on the day. Comment from Tim, 'David's got his crown back'!

So, one win each and honours even.

Jackie and I stayed around for a few more pictures before heading home.

Even trying to go home, David was still cornered in the car park!

Friends Will Be Friends.

Thanks to David, Michael, Tim and all the BBC crew for being so helpful and friendly and making it a most enjoyable and unforgettable two days.

Hi Jenny,

Just logged on to your web site and thought I would drop you a line.

You kindly gave me a card - I was one of the blue team contestants at the Live Show in Lichfield at Winterton's September 15th. Myself and my team mate Shirley had a few words with you.

Just to basically say, love the site and that the days we had recording Bargain Hunt with David and the rest of the folk were brill. David is such a scream and made the whole experience fun. There are very few people I meet who are genuine, kind, considerate people and David Barby is one of them, a gentleman. The rest of the "gang", Tim and Michael too were fantastic, not one pretentious idiot amongst them!

The BBC "behind the scenes" crew too were fantastic. How some of them put up with our antics I will never know? But they did. Special thanks go to Cathy and Algernon (not his real name, but the only name I called him by) he knows who I mean. They were the researchers on the show and looked after myself and Shirley throughout. Basically everyone involved was fantastic. I would recommend it to anybody - an experience that will remain in my memories forever.

It was lovely to meet you and keep up the good work,

Cheers,

Denise Sears

P.S. I too would like to see a picture of David's cat as I am cat mad - naming my latest 2 kittens: Stella and Artois, being as this is David's latest fav. tipple!