Premiering June 28, 2025, on BBC One, The Bidding Room Season 7 welcomes back Nigel Havers for another thrilling dive into the world of hidden treasures and expert wheeling-and-dealing. In this beloved British adaptation of Germany’s hit show, everyday sellers bring their heirlooms, curios, and collectables to a barn brimming with history, where they receive sage advice from valuation guru Simon Bowers before facing off against a vibrant panel of dealers. With egos, expertise, and quick wit on full display, each episode transforms dusty attics into auction-style drama—where a steely gaze or a cheeky grin could mean the difference between a bargain and a windfall.

Returning fan favorites and sharp-eyed newcomers make Season 7 the most competitive yet. From vintage toys to Georgian silver, the dealers’ passions clash in rapid-fire bids, all under Nigel’s effortlessly suave stewardship. Get ready for gasp-worthy offers, hilarious banter, and the joy of seeing forgotten items find new homes. Meet the charismatic cast turning paddles into power moves!

The cast list of The Bidding Room Season 7

1. Nigel Havers – Self – Presenter

The inimitable Nigel Havers returns as the show’s silver-tongued anchor, guiding sellers through the highs and lows of the bidding fray. With decades of charm honed in classics like Chariots of Fire and Downton Abbey, Nigel puts nervous contestants at ease while deftly stirring rivalry among the dealers. His wit and warmth are the show’s heartbeat—whether teasing Ian over a “tight-fisted” bid or celebrating a seller’s life-changing offer. Off-screen, Nigel’s own passion for antiques (he collects Art Deco watches) fuels his genuine enthusiasm for every backstory.

Season 7 sees Nigel at his most mischievous, orchestrating tense standoffs and surprise “mystery item” rounds. “I’m the ringmaster in a circus of splendid chaos,” he quips. His rapport with Simon Bowers—exchanging raised eyebrows over dubious valuations—remains a masterclass in unspoken comedy. Nigel’s dedication to unearthing human stories behind each object ensures the show’s heart never gets lost in the hunt.

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2. Simon Bowers – Self – Valuation Specialist

Simon Bowers, the show’s unflappable valuation guru, combines encyclopedic knowledge with a disarming honesty that sellers trust instantly. Trained at Sotheby’s and a veteran of Antiques Road Trip, Simon can pinpoint a 1950s toy’s factory flaw or a Persian rug’s hidden repair with eagle-eyed precision. His pre-bidding briefings arm sellers with crucial context, often revealing emotional histories that sway the dealers’ bids.

This season, Simon debuts a segment called “Bowers’ Deep Dive,” spotlighting obscure items—like a Cold War spy camera—with tales that leave dealers scrambling. Off-camera, he mentors young appraisers and writes a column for Antiques Weekly. “Every chip and scratch tells a story,” Simon insists. His calm authority balances Nigel’s playful antics perfectly.

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3. Ian Humphries – Self – Dealer

Ian “Mr. Bric-a-Brac” Humphries brings his infectious energy and retro obsession back to the barn. Specializing in mid-century toys, quirky advertising, and neon signs, Ian’s bids often start low but skyrocket when passion takes over. His theatrical groans after losing a prized item are legendary, yet he’s the first to high-five rivals when they score.

Season 7 sees Ian hunting rare Doctor Who memorabilia and 1980s gaming consoles. He’s also writing a book on postwar pop culture, inspired by items from the show. “I don’t just buy things—I rescue memories,” he beams. His rivalry with James Gooch over vintage comics is a must-watch.

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4. Adrian Higham – Self – Dealer

Adrian Higham, the gentleman dealer with a penchant for fine furniture and clocks, returns with his signature tweed jackets and razor-sharp strategy. A third-generation antiques restorer, Adrian spots quality others miss—like a Chippendale chair’s original veneer—and bids with calm calculation. His polite but firm negotiations often leave sellers starry-eyed.

Adrian’s new workshop series on BBC iPlayer, Rescue & Restore, features items saved from The Bidding Room. This season, he’s on a mission to find pre-Victorian scientific instruments. “Elegance isn’t old—it’s timeless,” he muses. His tête-à-têtes with Jacqui Harris over Art Nouveau lamps are pure class warfare.

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5. James Gooch – Self – Dealer

James Gooch, the maverick “dealer with a grin,” thrives on eclectic lots—taxidermy, tribal art, or unsettling medical antiques. His bold bids and cowboy hats make him a barn favorite, though Adrian dubs him “the chaos agent.” James’ secret weapon? Knowing when to charm sellers with wild tales of an item’s past.

In Season 7, James chases maritime relics and cursed curios (one episode features a “haunted” doll). Off-screen, he runs a Portsmouth curiosity shop and hosts paranormal-themed auctions. “If it’s weird, I want it,” he laughs. His bidding wars with Estelle Bilson are delightfully unhinged.

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6. Josephine Roberts – Self – Dealer

Josephine Roberts, queen of textiles and vintage fashion, returns with an eye for lace shawls, suffragette sashes, and sequined gowns. Her tactile approach—feeling fabrics mid-bid—reveals her expertise as a former costume curator. Josephine’s empathy often wins over sellers, especially when items have sentimental value.

This season, she hunts 1920s flapper dresses and wartime silk maps. Josephine’s podcast, Threads of Time, explores stories behind her Bidding Room finds. “Fashion is history you can wear,” she says. Her clashes with Lucy Ryder Richardson over a Dior clutch are fashion showdowns for the ages.

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7. James Broad – Self – Dealer

James Broad, the stoic specialist in militaria and coins, brings gravitas to the panel. His encyclopedic knowledge of medals and wartime ephemera turns emotional when sellers share family connections. James’ quiet intensity masks a dry wit—his one-liners about “overpriced tin cans” slay the barn.

Season 7 follows James’ quest for a rare Waterloo medal. He’s also collaborating with the Imperial War Museum on items from the show. “History isn’t in books—it’s in your hands,” he states. His respectful duels with Ian over aviation relics reveal mutual admiration beneath the rivalry.

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8. Jacqui Harris – Self – Dealer

Jacqui Harris, the ceramics and silver virtuoso, returns with a laser focus on Georgian tea sets and Art Deco vases. Her sharp critiques (“That hairline crack will cost you!”) scare off rivals, but sellers adore her fair offers. Jacqui’s 30 years in the trade let her spot fakes in seconds.

This season, she’s obsessed with Clarice Cliff pottery and Islamic metalwork. Jacqui’s TikTok series, Mend or Money, shows how she restores damaged buys. “Porcelain has a soul,” she declares. Her icy standoffs with Adrian Higham over a Meissen figurine are high-stakes ballet.

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9. Estelle Bilson – Self – Dealer

Estelle Bilson, the retro-futurist guru, chases space-age furniture and psychedelic 1960s–70s design. Her bold prints and higher bids reflect her mantra: “Ugly today is tomorrow’s masterpiece.” Estelle’s Manchester home (a mid-century shrine) went viral, cementing her cult status.

Season 7 sees her battling James Gooch for a 1970s lava lamp collection and a Eames lounge chair. She’s launching a book, Kitsch Me If You Can, featuring Bidding Room gems. “Kitsch is class with a wink,” she grins. Her electric pink suits alone deserve screen time.

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10. Lucy Ryder Richardson – Self – Dealer

Lucy Ryder Richardson, the glamorous vinyl and pop-culture hunter, dives into rare records, neon art, and rock memorabilia. Her DJ background lets her spot a first-pressing Bowie LP across the barn, and her bids come with music trivia that dazzles sellers.

Lucy’s chasing punk posters and 1990s streetwear this season. Her radio show, Bid Spin, spins records rescued from the show. “Music history is my holy grail,” she says. Her playful feud with Josephine over a Madonna corset is pop-art poetry.

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11. Melissa Drabble – Self – Dealer

Melissa Drabble, the eclectic newcomer, specializes in folk art, curiosities, and “things that tell stories”—from sailor’s valentines to apothecary jars. Her intuitive bids and gothic flair shake up the panel, especially when she outmaneuvers veterans for a haunted mirror.

A museum curator by day, Melissa’s thrilled to join Season 7: “I’ll bid on anything with a ghost or a giggle.” Her dark humor and encyclopedic mind make her one to watch—especially when facing off against Jacqui over a Victorian mourning locket.