BBC Bargain Hunt's Anita Manning's surprising career before becoming star on hit show

Anita Manning has become a familiar face on daytime television having made her debut on the BBC in 2010. The expert has since become a household name with her knowledge of antiques

Anita Manning has become a familiar face on BBC daytime TV, sharing her expertise on popular shows such as Bargain Hunt, Antiques Road Trip, and Flog It. The 76-year-old antiques expert's journey to fame began in 2010, catapulting her into the spotlight and transforming her life over the last decade.

Hailing from an antique-loving family, Anita grew up surrounded by mahogany furniture that sparked her interest from a young age. Despite her initial career path leading her to study Physical Education and specialise in Dance at the University of Aberdeen and Edinburgh, followed by a stint as a teacher, it wasn't until her early fifties in the 1970s that she ventured into the antiques business.

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Today, Anita not only runs a successful business but has also brought her daughter into the fold. Her entry into the trade was somewhat serendipitous; after needing to buy a bed post-marriage and child-rearing, she met a dealer whose skills impressed her so much that she asked for a job, as reported by Hello! magazine.

Since then, Anita has been enamoured with the "wonderful trade" and has never looked back, reports the Express.

The star is known for her strong work ethic and determination, having spent three years travelling the length and breadth of the country in a three-tonne truck to hone her skills in buying and selling. After her daughter finished school, they found a shop and began trading.

The duo launched Great Western Auctions in 1989, and despite humble beginnings with just three staff members, the company has grown into one of Scotland's leading independent auctioneers, winning numerous awards. Anita's entrepreneurial spirit led her to become one of Scotland's first female auctioneers.