Bargain Hunt expert leaves mum ‘furious’ after revealing truth behind her prized antique chair
A BARGAIN Hunt expert has revealed how he left his mum “furious” after revealing the truth behind their prized antique chair.
David Harper recalled how he once got himself in trouble at home when he was first getting to grips with learning the ropes of antiques.
David, 55, revealed to The Yorkshire Post how he was always keen to be an antiques expert before he found himself working in TV.
From the moment he left school, he knew he wanted to be self-employed and work in an area that already interested him.
He went on to buy and sell old cars before dipping into the world of antiques, and finding himself matching his passion with his TV career.
The presenter has since been spotted on Antiques Road Trip, Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is and Bargain Hunt.
However, David didn’t always get it right with his valuations – and admitted he once made his mother “furious”.
He explained: “The first time that I’d ever done any real research on an antique was when my mother came home and brought with her a chaise lounge.
“She told me this piece of furniture had once actually been owned by no less than Lord Nelson, [and] I was fascinated and determined to find out more about it.”
He studied the chair – including the type of fabric used to make it and how it was held together – to try and correctly date it.
“Well, the upshot was that I was able to inform my mother, without any shred of a doubt, that it had been made a full 25 years after the hero’s death,” he continued.
“I was triumphant, but she, of course, was furious.”
David discovered that the information his mother had been given about the chair was wrong, and learnt a valuable lesson about background research.
“Always research everything, and don’t be enticed by a rather good yarn, or the phrase ‘It’s said to have been…’,” he concluded.
“Don’t trust anything until it has been proved without a shadow of a doubt, you never stop learning.”
While he made his mum angry, David admitted that he was inspired from that moment to learn more about antique valuation.
His parents went on to start bringing him back items to value, which would then be held onto by the family if they were of any worth.
David was a firm fan favourite on Bargain Hunt before he waved goodbye to the show in November 2020.
He wrote to his fans on Twitter: “After 15 happy years, I’ve decided now is the time to move on and hang up my golden gavels (I do have a few, I promise!) Thanks for the fun and memories. Cheers.”
Bargain Hunt airs weekdays on BBC One at 12.30pm