Why Tim Wonnacott left Bargain Hunt and where is he now?

Tim Wonnacott hosted Bargain Hunt for 12 years, bringing his years of experience behind the gavel at Sotheby's to the popular BBC show.

Tim ably stepped into David Dickinson's shows and although his initial contract was just for 30 episodes, it was soon extended to 350, and overall, Tim hosted over 1,000 episodes of the antiques show.

The star's blossoming television career saw him leave his role at Sotheby's, make appearances on major shows like This Morning and Put Your Money Where You Mouth Is, and he was even signed as a contestant for the twelfth series of Strictly Come Dancing.

However, in 2015, Tim abruptly stepped down from the show. Here's why he left Bargain Hunt and what he's up to now…

Departure

In 2015, Tim stepped down as the host of Bargain Hunt. His exit came after he was reportedly suspended following an alleged disagreement with producers. At the time, it was reported that staff at BBC Bristol issued a complaint after objecting to Tim's behaviour, resulting in an investigation into alleged bullying claims.

The BBC declined to comment on "individual staff matters" and announced his departure on 25 November.

You may also like

• Meet Bargain Hunt star Charlie Ross' family

• Bargain Hunt star's garden is straight from a fairytale - see photos

• Bargain Hunt star Kate Bateman's home life: from job away from show to family business

In a statement, Tim said: "I am pleased to have been part of Bargain Hunt for so many years and have thoroughly enjoyed every one of my, roughly, 1,200 programmes hunting out bargains with the contestants. Alongside continuing to voice Antiques Road Trip for the BBC, I look forward to developing new programme ideas."

The BBC added: "We would like to thank Tim Wonnacott for his dedication to Bargain Hunt over the last twelve-years and for the great expertise that he has brought to the show in that time. Bargain Hunt will be moving in a new direction next year utilising a team of experts who present a number of shows each. Tim continues to work with the BBC on Antiques Road Trip."

Current career

Since leaving Bargain Hunt, Tim has continued to narrate Antiques Road Trip and its celebrity spin-off. He also lent his voice to Channel 5's 2020 documentary, When Classic TV Goes Horribly Wrong, an entertaining compilation of some of TV's biggest fails.

When he's not busy narrating Antiques Road Trip – a role he's held since 2010, Tim can be found at home with his wife Helen, who he's been married to since 1984.

The couple, who share three children: Alice, Fred, and Ben, sold their ten-acre country estate in West Sussex, in 2019. At the time, Tim told The Telegraph of his plans to relocate to Australia to make more TV shows. He said: "I'm looking forward to it. But I'll always regard England as my home."

Judging by his social media account, Tim is back in the UK and is often out and about attending auctions held across the nation. His X bio reads: "Star of Bargain Hunt now going from the sale room to the Strictly Ballroom and back to BBC Bargain Hunt and on to pastures new."