I was co-presenting the BBC’s Street Auction when the boss at Bargain Hunt called me, asking me to consider a screen test. I feel very fortunate to be involved in such a British television institution. Well, it’s always a thrill to explore new places and new antiques fairs that I love. The hardest thing is leaving my family. I usually try and find them a small present if I’ve been on the road for a few days. Throw yourself into it and just make it happen. You have to want to learn, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Get down to your local auction room and experience the buzz - it will inspire you. My father had his own saleroom when I was growing up so I started rummaging for treasure and sitting on the auctioneer’s rostrum, from an early age. I think a lot of the antiques business is in the blood. So many traditional dealers impart their knowledge and enthusiasm to the next generation, and so the tradition continues. My father certainly taught me how to auctioneer and command the room. My parents love antiques and quirky objects (my mother’s idea of a great Christmas present is an antique shrimping net!) and their passion has rubbed off on me. I also loved studying the craftsmanship of pieces and the history behind them. It has such a great mix of ingredients - the thrill of the treasure hunt, the fun atmosphere of the shopping, and then the jeopardy and rollercoaster ride of the auction with a dash of antiques facts thrown in. I think it is a winning recipe and in the all the years I have been filming it (which is a lot!) each team and each shop brings something different - which keeps it very much alive for me. It still a great challenge for us experts!

Bargain Hunt expert Paul Laidlaw Paul Laidlaw wife: Who is Bargain Hunt expert Paul Laidlaw

Having fun and lots of madness with my wife Alexa and two children Albie and Bella. They all boss me around! Mostly with the family, doing something outdoorsy, but I love reading and watching films. I snatch short bursts of ‘me time’, usually early in the morning in the week, when I exercise, running with our loopy labrador or doing pilates. I do love a good cook, whether baking or doing a big meal for family and friends. It can be a bit hit and miss with me though, and the children love reminding me of my disasters in the kitchen! As for the day job, I absolutely love everything about being an auctioneer - from valuation and researching to cataloguing and auctioneering, I genuinely love it. I’m fortunate enough to work around great people where we work very hard, but also have a lot of fun.Naturally, I would be playing in centre midfield for Arsenal. However, the pull of antiques was just way too strong! My favourite part of being a Bargain Hunt expert is just being a part of the amazing BH team. It is a dream come true! Sometimes, I look at the contestants standing next to me in the blue or red fleeces, and I just want to run around kissing everyone and shouting, “I’m on Bargain Hunt!” David began his career in 2005 working for Channel 4's Natural Born Dealers before going on to appear on other TV programmes such as Ready Steady Cook, Through the Keyhole and more. It's not known what the 53-year-old auctioneer will be working on next, however, it's clear the presenter will be missed on the BBC show which has been running since 2000.

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Marshmallows. Usually, I eat them secretly when the children aren’t looking, otherwise we would get through hundreds! I always prefer an outside fair, as I like being able to rummage through the larger stalls where it feels like even the stall holder isn’t completely sure what they have. Every time I turn up at a fair I expect to find ‘that’ item which will make my team rich… but I’m still waiting! That is REALLY difficult. I have made so many great contestant friends and there have been so many! I will never forget my team of Olympians though, after the 2012 Olympics. They were the most competitive team I think I have ever had. I’d probably be a barrister. I tinkered with the idea of doing law but fine art won. I am sure there are some similarities though between holding forth in a courtroom and in a saleroom!I think the greatest profit has to be several hundred pounds but I can’t remember exactly! Greatest loss, well there have been more than a few disasters, as in true BH tradition... He wrote: "Re: Bargain Hunt. What can I say - huge and grateful thanks everyone for your comments, likes and shares after my post yesterday announcing that I'm leaving @BBCBargainHunt I'm bowled over by your kind words and they're so very appreciated." I love the Builth Wells Antiques Fair - it’s fairly close to home for me and set amongst the gorgeous mid Wales hills, but Westpoint at Exeter is also a great fair with lots of variety. It’s great fun for me to travel north up to the Derbyshire and Yorkshire fairs, as you meet a different bunch of dealers. The Kedleston Fair is in a stupendous setting in the grounds of a beautiful stately house. I try not to anymore! I used to collect loads… football programmes, toys, vinyl, ceramics, but I tend to spend my money on the kids instead of me these days.

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The antiques broker, who also makes appearances on shows such as Cash in the Attic and Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, followed up his initial message to thank his fans for their tweets of support. It’s what’s at the end of the road that excites and inspires me; meeting new people, hearing their stories and obviously seeing their treasures. Charlie appears on television as an antiques expert on the BBC programs Bargain Hunt, Flog It!, Antiques Road Trip and Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is. He is among the four regular presenters on Bargain Hunt. He has conducted the Pebble Beach Vintage Car Auction in California, United States, and the Scottsdale Auction in Arizona for Gooding and Company. Charlie also regularly appears in this role in episodes of the TV show Chasing Classic Cars.

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