Charlie Ross was born in June 1945 in Buckinghamshire, England. Details about his parents are not widely documented, although his mother worked in healthcare during World War II.

He began his career in 1963 after leaving school, initially working for a local estate agent where he started auctioning livestock such as chickens and turkeys. This early experience led him into the antiques trade, where he specialised in furniture and collectibles.

Ross later established his own auction house in Woburn near Milton Keynes, building a strong reputation in the industry before stepping down in 2008.

He became a familiar face on British television, appearing as an expert on shows such as Flog It! and Antiques Road Trip. He is now one of the regular presenters of Bargain Hunt on BBC One, part of a rotating hosting team introduced after 2016.

He continues to work in antiques and broadcasting while maintaining a relatively private personal life.