Charlie Ross, the antiques guru on BBC One's hit series Bargain Hunt, has a record-breaking past and an unexpected early job history. After leaving school, the expert ventured into real estate before finding his niche auctioning poultry, leading to an illustrious career in antique furniture.
He set up his own auction house near Milton Keynes, and for years he ran the prestigious Pebble Beach Vintage Car Auction in California, as well as Arizona's Scottsdale Auction for Gooding and Company. He made headlines when, in 2011, a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Prototype fetched over $16 million under his gavel, a US record at the time.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, the Bargain Hunt favourite reflected on his tenure with the show and addressed speculation about retirement: "I think as long as I enjoy it I will carry on doing it, and as long as I am wanted to do it. As long as no one says 'Who is that boring bugger? We don't want him anymore'."
His career might have taken a very different turn, having initially pursued a path in dentistry which was curtailed by not passing his medical school exams. With no familial connections in the antiques world, his fascination with the industry began serendipitously after a trip to a Buckingham auction room.
Energetic and enthusiastic about his work at Bargain Hunt, Ross declared: "I'm always full of energy so I have no plans to retire. Onwards and upwards.", reports the Express.
"I'm extremely lucky and privileged to be on the show."
Away from his professional life, Charlie is happily married to Sally, and they are proud parents to two children, Charlotte Macdonald and Olly Ross.
He also enjoys being a grandfather to four grandchildren, Finn and Max Macdonald and Ana and Zac Ross.
The auctioneer has made his home near Bicester, just outside of Oxford, since 1981.
Bargain Hunt airs on BBC One on weekdays at 12.15pm
