73-year-old Bargain Hunt star Eric Knowles retired from his corporate role in November 2023.
Eric Knowles is an antiques expert specialising in ceramics and glass(Image: BBC)
Away from Bargain Hunt, Eric Knowles has faced some heartbreaking times throughout his life.
Bargain Hunt is back on BBC One and Saturday’s episode is hosted by the antiquarian and ceramics and glass specialist.
Hailing from Nelson in Lancashire, the star went to Nelson Secondary Technical School, later joining the London auction house Bonhams as a porter in the ceramics department in 1976.
Five years later, he had worked his way up to head of department, and by 1992 he had set up a second office in Bristol.
His career went from strength to strength as in 2021, he was appointed non-executive director of The Hoard Ltd, a decorative art and design emporium.
Away from his corporate work and his appearances on shows like Antiques Roadshow and Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, he has led a very interesting life.
Eric Knowles had a cancer scare
As a child, Knowles’ parents feared he would die after he was hospitalised following a leukaemia scare.
During the BBC show Matron, Medicine and Me, the presenter opened up about how the condition was considered a “death sentence” at the time.
His parents breathed a sigh of relief when they found out his condition was actually glandular fever, not cancer.
During the emotional show, he paid a visit to the daughter of the paediatrician who had treated him all those years ago.
The series had celebrated the evolution of the NHS, with episodes exploring how the revolutionary healthcare system has changed since its introduction in 1946.
Knowles was one of a handful of celebrities sharing their own personal experiences with the NHS.
Eric Knowles’ son died in a car crash
In May 2015, Knowles suffered a profound loss when his 26-year-old son, Seb, was killed in a tragic car accident.
The well-known DJ and bank manager died following a collision with a lorry on the M40.
The father and son had bonded over their love of music, with Eric telling the BBC had he not followed a career in antiques, he would have become a radio DJ.
Eric reposted several heartfelt messages on his X feed in the days after the incident, responding to one with the message: “Thank you so much for your kindness, Seb’s Dad.”
Four months after his son’s death, Knowles wrote: “Just a much belated but heartfelt THANK YOU to all out there for your kindness and words of support with regard to our son Sebastian.”
Bargain Hunt airs on Saturdays on BBC One at 1.15pm
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: mirror.co.uk
