Bargain Hunt host reveals traumatic health battle that family feared was ‘death sentence’ in gritty documentary
BARGAIN Hunt host Eric Knowles has opened up about his harrowing health battle, which led to him being hospitalised as a child.
The 71-year-old BBC presenter has been a regular fixture on the popular antiques show since 2016.
For eight years now, he has helped the red and blue teams on Bargain Hunt find hidden gems to sell for profit and be crowned the winner.
But not many fans of the hit BBC show are aware of his experience suffering from a terrifying illness as a child.
Eric opened up about his traumatic childhood health battle, which left him hospital-bound and fearing that it could be leukaemia at one point.
However, after an anxious wait and numerous tests, doctors diagnosed Eric with glandular fever.
The Bargain Hunt expert opened up about his past traumatic experiences in the BBC documentary Matron, Medicine and Me, where he explored the history of the NHS through his own eyes.
The 2017 BBC reflected on his story, stating: “Although being severely ill, his family were spared a disease that was then a death sentence.”
In the documentary, Eric takes a nostalgic journey in a 1960s ambulance, retracing the path to the hospital he would have taken as a child.
During the programme, which is no longer available on iPlayer, Eric consulted with oncologist Dr Margaret Rokicka to understand how his diagnosis was reached.
He also learned about the medical advancements that present-day cases of childhood leukaemia.
The BBC show was filled with wholesome moments, including when Eric met a young patient undergoing treatment.
The antiques expert reflected on his time before fame, including when he worked as a porter at Bonham’s auction house and spent a shift with hospital porters Steven Shaw and Andy McHale.
Eric also visited the Manchester Hospital, which was selected to launch the NHS in 1948 to celebrate his northern heritage.
To conclude the moving journey, Eric paid a visit to the daughter of the Burnley paediatrician who cared for him as a sick child.
Recently, on Bargain Hunt, Eric had to deliver disheartening news to the red team after one of their items was damaged off-set.
In the episode hosted by Eric viewers were introduced to two teams of contestants who were hoping to make a profit on various antiques they had purchased.
However, things didn’t go as planned for good friends Ivor and Joe on the red team, whose chances of winning were nearly sabotaged.
During their frantic hour-long search for treasures, the duo had their eyes set on the dog figurine, which they purchased for £75, making it their most expensive purchase thus far.
The red team’s supporting expert, Catherine Southon, suggested that the team could potentially profit from the item if they find the right customer.
Unfortunately, Eric revealed some discouraging news before the item could be auctioned.
The BBC host told Ivor and Joe: “Next up is your Beswick dog. Actually, the issue is the fact that the tongue on your dog has taken a little bit of a chip.”
Eric revealed to the teammates that “something happened in transit, ” resulting in the damage.