ONE of the stars from Bargain Hunt has been virtually ‘snubbed’ from the anniversary special.
This was after the TV personality sensationally quitting the long-running BBC show.
Bargain Hunt will celebrate its 25th anniversary on BBC screens next month.
Dickie bow-wearing Tim Wonnacott, 73, was a beloved face of the show for over a decade.
The personality built up a following from fans as he famously hosted the antiques show for 12 years.
However, the BBC has now come under fire after he was practically airbrushed out of the shows celebrations.
In the 45-minute TV special which marks the programme’s silver jubilee, the host gets only 20 seconds of airtime.
He famously took over the role from David Dickinson, 83, in 2003 and stayed with the show until 2015.
During his tenure, he also appeared on Top Gear, and competed on shows such as Ready Steady Cook and Strictly Come Dancing.
Back in 2015, Tim stepped down from the show for “personal reasons,” in a move which left fans stunned.
BBC execs seemingly wanted to move the show in a “new direction” as the antiques experts themselves took on roles as hosts.
At the time, a statement explained: “We would like to thank Tim Wonnacott for his dedication to Bargain Hunt over the last twelve years and for the great expertise that he has brought to the show in that time.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Bargain Hunt viewers demand ‘sacking’ as BBC contestants ‘stitched up’ by major off-screen blunder” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6351408553112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]“Bargain Hunt will be moving in a new direction next year utilising a team of experts who present a number of shows each.”
It added: “Tim continues to work with the BBC on Antiques Road Trip.”
Although the BBC emphasised that it was still working with the personality, allegations surfaced after his exit.
The Mirror reported that his swift departure was due to alleged complaints from staff at BBC Bristol and a confrontation he had with a producer.
At the time the presenter admitted: “I am pleased to have been part of Bargain Hunt for so many years and have thoroughly enjoyed every one of my, roughly, 1,200 programmes hunting out bargains with the contestants.”
Adding: “Alongside continuing to voice Antiques Road Trip for the BBC, I look forward to developing new programme ideas.”
Bargain Hunt is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.