Timothy Wonnacott was born on 12 March 1951 in Barnstaple, Devon, England. He is the son of auctioneer Major Raymond Wonnacott and his wife Pamela, growing up in a family closely connected to the antiques trade.

He followed his father into the profession, becoming a chartered auctioneer and surveyor. In 1978, he joined Sotheby’s, rising to become a director and later chairman of Sotheby’s South, establishing a strong reputation in the antiques world.

Wonnacott transitioned into television through antiques programmes, eventually becoming widely recognised. In 2003, he took over as presenter of Bargain Hunt on BBC One, hosting the show for over a decade until 2015.

He has also served as the long-time narrator of Antiques Road Trip and appeared on other BBC programmes, further cementing his profile as a leading antiques broadcaster.

He currently lives in the UK with his wife and family, continuing his involvement in antiques and media.