The Travelling Auctioneers returns to BBC One

Meet the new recruits…

LAUREN WOOD

With a surname like that, you could say Lauren’s path to becoming one of the country’s most revered woodworkers was written in the stars. After her wife downloaded an application form and convinced her to apply, Lauren wowed the judges and won the second series of Channel 4 competition show, Handmade: Britain’s Best Woodworker, in 2022.

She spent her childhood building Lego structures and closely studying her father’s DIY projects, before undertaking a degree in cabinet-making and later teaching woodwork at a secondary school for ten years.

Lauren says:

“For me, being hands on and restoring things is a life skill that not only brings joy to myself and others but also means we as a nation can reuse products and save them from landfill, so I’m thrilled to be putting my passion into practice alongside this top team!”

JAMES “JB” BROAD

With an interest in antiques ignited at the age of 12, JB has transformed his enthusiasm into a thriving career. As the manager and auctioneer at Whittaker & Biggs in Cheshire, he commands the rostrum every fortnight and typically sells over 1,400 lots per auction.

No stranger to TV cameras, 29-year-old JB has appeared in BBC One’s Antiques Roadshow and The Bidding Room and is ready to bring his infectious energy and eye for the extraordinary to The Travelling Auctioneers this January.

JB says:

“Signing up for this show was an easy decision for me. The chance to travel and meet incredible people while uncovering the stories behind their cherished possessions is something truly magical. I’m particularly looking forward to the excitement of the auctions themselves – there’s nothing quite like the anticipation of finding out which items resonate most with buyers.”

BRIONY “BEE” HARFORD

 A rising star in the auctioneering world, Bee’s warmth, charisma and expert eye has caused quite the buzz across the industry. She has over 12 years’ experience and has climbed the ranks from general valuer to head auctioneer – even being headhunted by fine art auctioneers, Bonhams, to lead its operations in Yorkshire and the North East.

Bee’s also a trailblazer, having become the first woman in 40 years to take the rostrum at the Staffordshire Motorcycle Show in 2021.

Bee says:

“I love my job for many reasons, but the main one is helping people make a difference to their lives. I get no greater joy than unearthing treasures in people’s homes that they had no idea were worth anything, then selling them on the rostrum!”

SAF FÄKIR

Fans of Quest’s The Woodland Workshop will recognise Saf as the show’s warm and likeable resident expert. Saf’s woodworking talent runs in the family – his father was also a skilled craftsman – and after being inspired to follow in his footsteps as a child, Saf turned his passion into a career.

As well as his TV work, Saf also runs his own woodwork studio in his home city of Bradford, creating bespoke furniture that has earned him a glowing reputation locally.

Saf says:

“I’m so humbled to join The Travelling Auctioneers. It’s a great opportunity for me to show how household items that most people would throw away can be totally transformed and given a new home.”