ABOUT JB

Without TV & Antiques

My name is James Broad - or JB if you prefer! I'm 29, not quite 6ft tall, with blue eyes but an inability to grow a beard. I am very happily engaged and soon to be married to the future Mrs Emma Broad.

I grew up in the leafy Cheshire countryside with my small but amazing family. I still live in the same county, but when I'm not working I love travelling the world and enjoying the different cultures and cuisines on offer. If it's not abroad, I love travelling the country in my part-converted VW van Vinnie with Emma and our labradoodle, Bailey.

I have a massively varied taste in music which is a huge part of my life, listening to hours upon hours of all sorts of genres when I'm out running - my main obsession outside of antiques. I enjoy most sports (except golf and darts - does anyone actually enjoy them?!) and have a season ticket to Man City Women's team. Because let's face it - women's football is better than men's.

Oh, and I'm a vegetarian 95% of the time. The other 5% I'll be on holiday eating fish. Because we only live once, right?!

My rollercoaster career in the wonderful world of antiques

I spent my childhood surrounded by antiques (no, I am not referring to my parents!). I'd spend my weekends visiting charity shops, car boot and antiques fairs buying bits and pieces that sparked my interest.

The first moment I realised that this was the career for me was at a large antiques fair in Birmingham, where one stall piqued my interest particularly. There were thousands of pocket and wristwatches on the stall, some dating back to the 17th century. The store owner appreciated a young lad's interest and gave me valuable insights and knowledge about the history of these watches, despite my lack of funds to buy from him.

At the age of 17, the addiction for antiques intensified when I took on a porter's position at a local auction house where I was taught the basics of antiques and how auctions operate. It's the auction house I am now the lead auctioneer and manager of today, 12 years later. Six months into my portering job was the first time I took to the rostrum - a wonderful yet daunting experience. Achieving the best price possible for the vendors as well as conducting the sale in a unique way to entertain your audience - as we all know there is nothing worse than a boring auctioneer!

I haven't spent that whole time on the rostrum, though. In 2016 I spent 6 months learning the tricks of the trade with Populuxe Home Boutique, who restore mid 20th century furniture, and soon decided I wanted my own business and to be a full-time antique dealer. James Broad Interiors was born, and I spent my days on the road searching for antique treasures and my evenings restoring and photographing them. The feeling of the chase and the release of endorphins when I found a special item is still unmatched for me.

Being both an auctioneer and antique dealer has really helped me, it has made me understand both ends of the industry and I know the pains and the joys each industry offers.

In 2017 I received an enquiry that would change my career trajectory again. Would I like to audition for a brand-new BBC show The Bidding Room? I was a fish out of water in that audition, but the producers must have seen something as two weeks later I was offered the role and filming began soon after. The Bidding Room has become a huge success thanks to the wonderful team behind it, as we have now filmed 7 series.

After being self-employed for three years I realised that I missed the thrill of auctioneering, and I was lucky enough to be offered the Auctioneer and Manager role at Whittaker & Biggs. In the five years I have been a manager we have built a fantastic team which has sent profits soaring and targets smashed, whilst still allowing me to run James Broad Interiors and filming for TV.