Cult TV show moved to prime-time slot
Cult daytime TV hit Bargain Hunt is being given a summer prime-time slot on BBC1 after presenter David Dickinson proved to be a ratings winner.
The permatanned presenter – likened to roguish antiques dealer Lovejoy – has landed a Thursday evening run, up against ITV1’s The Bill.
And BBC chiefs have upped the cash for contestants to splash out on a bargain and introduced prizes for the winning team.
“It’s been a huge hit with viewers,” said a spokeswoman for the show, explaining the new evening run which begins on August 22.
Dickinson, also famed for his bouffant hair and immaculate suits, was with the show when it launched two years ago.
Two pairs of contestants trawl antiques fairs looking for the item which will bring in the biggest price at auction.
Until now they have had £200 each but the new evening version of the programme will see them wielding £500 wads.
Around 1,000 letters a day flood in to the production team behind the show, asking to appear.
“It couldn’t be the prize-money they were after because there usually isn’t any,” said producer Melanie Eriksen. “They all want to meet David.”
Share or comment on this article: {“status”:”error”,”code”:”499″,”payload”:”Asset id not found: readcomments comments with assetId=131857, assetTypeId=1″}
