The TV star is happily married with four children
Jonathan Pratt is a familiar face on our TV screens, appearing as a regular antiques expert on a number of hit BBC programmes, including Bargain Hunt, Antiques Road Trip and Flog It! The 52-year-old is best known for his impressive knowledge of antiques, specialising in jewellery, watches, English furniture and Persian carpets.
But Pratt hasn’t always strived for a career in the antique industry, and it was actually a BBC show which altered his path as a young boy. He revealed he always wanted to be a vet, but it was the release of BBC series Lovejoy in 1986 which ignited his passion and he immediately knew he wanted to hunt for valuable items for a living.
The BBC drama series starring Ian McShane was based around a rogue antiques dealer, who had an eye for seeking out valuable treasures. Lovejoy scoured salerooms, auction halls and stately homes with the hopes of finding unusual items.
Following its release almost four decades age, Pratt said “that was that” and at just 14 years old he immediately knew he wanted to get involved in the industry himself.
After completing his A-levels, he dove into the realm of antiques and secured a diploma in Fine Art and Chattels Valuation. To this day, the antiques enthusiast still spends his spare time collecting a range of different treasures.
Speaking to the BBC, he revealed that he still collects “a bit of everything”. As he has got older, he now focusses on collecting decorative items with a unique touch to make his “house look nice”.
Jonathan made his Bargain Hunt debut in 2008 and soon became a hit with fans after leading the red and blue teams on the popular daytime BBC programme. However, he says his role has changed “hugely”.
He said: “My role as an auctioneer has changed hugely over the years. Today, what I enjoy the most is working with my team on a large project, such as a house sale, where we have to build the narrative of the collection around the provenance, the house and the family, to promote the sale and to maximise the return to the client.”
Away from the screen, Jonathan lives a peaceful life with his wife Claire and their four children. Speaking about what he does in his free time, aside from searching for antiques, he said: “Gardening, taxi driving the children, answering emails! I have also discovered the delights of playing croquet after buying a set at auction.”
In his bio, he allows fans a sneak peak into his relatively private life. The description reads: “Married with four kids, three dogs, a thirty-year skiing habit he can’t kick and a love-hate relationship with a guitar.”
Jonathan has previously opened up about how he met his wife, as they crossed paths in the antique valuing industry. The couple were engaged not long after meeting, and were married four months later. Jonathan and Claire live in Hampshire, in the village of West Meon.
However, the Bargain Hunt star recently revealed another passion of his away from antiques. He made the bold decision to dip his toes into acting, as he drew some similarities between theatre and the auction room.
According to The Mirror, he shared: “It’s funny, really. The thing is, auction is theatre. Being a good auctioneer is understanding how to work a room, how to work with people. You’ve got to entertain.
“You need to keep attention whilst trying to essentially take money from them for the objects you’re selling. So a good auctioneer is always worth his money.”
He’s hoping to balance acting with Bargain Hunt, and has since joined his local theatre group at West Meon Theatre. The dad-of-four starred in a local theatre production of TOAD with his youngest son and daughter.
Speaking to GB News about his decision to balance both passions, he said: “So the Bargain Hunt thing, that’s an irregular thing. That happens two or three filming days a year. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Each recording day is like four shows, it looks like it’s more, to be honest.”
Jonathan has said he would also like to have a go at Strictly Come Dancing, asking anyone with a link to the casting crew to “mention my name”.
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Bargain Hunt airs on BBC One on weekdays at 12.15pm
