I was on Bargain Hunt – these are the items you’re BANNED from buying and the moments BBC producers set up for the cameras

A former Bargain Hunt contestant revealed which items participants are banned from buying – and opened up about moments set up for the cameras.

The BBC show launched in 2000, with two pairs – Red and Blue – competing by buying antiques to make the biggest profit at auction.

Stephen Bielby featured on the programme back in 2018 along with his daughter Emily, where they wore blue fleeces.

Speaking on behalf of OLBG, he reflected on how he and Emily came to appear in Bargain Hunt.

The show alum said: ‘Emily and I used to watch it a lot. I applied online, then got a call to come and try out at a hotel in Leeds. 

‘They did a “mock show” with fake stalls set up, and we had to go around and ‘buy’ stuff. 

Former Bargain Hunt contestant Stephen (third from left) opened up about his experience on the programme

The long-running format sees two pairs – Red and Blue – competing by buying antiques to make the biggest profit at auction

‘They were just trying to get a feel for how we interacted. 

‘There were some team games, too. It was a fun day. 

‘We both have an eye for a bargain but we don’t know much about antiques. Like one of the items we bought – a cruet set – I saw it and thought ‘I’m going to buy that because it looks fancy’, even though I knew it was all mismatched bits. But it still made a profit.

Stephen also disclosed which items are banned for contestants to purchase on the show.

He said: ‘Yes there are restrictions, you can’t buy heavily branded stuff, like Coca-Cola or Disney items. 

‘You couldn’t buy any antique weapons, like the old guns.’

In addition, Stephen said the producers intervene ‘on the timing’ in the programme.

He recalled: ‘They go around with a stopwatch. 

‘If you take a break or need to film an extra bit, they stop the watch. When you’re back to looking for items, they start it again. 

‘It’s very fair. Sometimes, if you’ve had a ‘cheeky’ conversation, they’ll ask you to re-enact it for the camera.’

And discussing his overall highlight from the experience, Stephen said: ‘Just being involved in the filming process. 

‘You meet a lot of people because they film several teams on the same day. 

‘On the auction day, there were about seven or eight teams altogether. 

‘They keep you in a green room and tell you not to give away what you bought or how much it went for. Everyone was a good sport, though.’

As revealed by Stephen, there are some items that Bargain Hunt contestants are not allowed to buy while filming

It comes as another past contestant revealed how starring in Bargain Hunt had been on a wishlist for her. 

Alica Humpheys and her father-in-law, who were part of the red team, showed their faces on the 26th episode of series 53, which filmed in Grantham. 

Speaking with the Express about what inspired them both to take part, Alicia said: ‘I was working my way through a list of things I wanted to do before I turned 30 and going on TV was on that list. 

‘I was talking to my father-in-law about it, and after some discussion, we decided to apply for Bargain Hunt together as a laugh.’

Their episode was presented by Charlie Ross and the experts that starred alongside them were Gary Pe and Nick Hall.

Bargain Hunt airs on BBC One and iPlayer.