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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
World
Joshua Hartley

BBC The Bidding Room contestant delighted by big profit on 'iconic' item

A Nottinghamshire contestant on BBC's The Bidding Room was delighted by her big profit on an 'iconic' item. Nigel Havers welcomed five more sellers to The Bidding Room, where participants try to sell interesting items to professional dealers, on Thursday, April 13.

Michelle Gergely from Nottinghamshire brought a mid-century chair, which she had bought from a junk shop for £15, to the bidding room. Expert Simon Bower praised the 'Siesta' chair, which he explained was notable Norwegian designer Ingmar Relling's most popular creation.

Michelle said: "I found this in a junk shop for £15. How much do you think I'm sitting on Simon?"

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Simon answered the chair would go for more than £200 at auction, but that he would not be surprised if it garnered a higher offer. As soon as the stylish piece was revealed from under its sheet, furniture expert Moses Otunla showed his interest.

"That is an iconic design piece," Moses commented as a fellow dealer dropped out of the prolonged bidding war. After some negotiating with Moses, Michelle took home £375.

After some negotiating with Moses, Michelle took home £375 for the chair. (BBC)

Encouraged by the other bidders, Michelle revealed the small price she had paid 15 years ago for the chair. The other bidders applauded whilst Moses defended his purchase of "such a lovely chair".

Earlier on in the show tattoo artist Ashley brought a hand-painted six-foot tuna to the bidding room, which he wanted to sell to fund the purchase of a fibreglass gorilla. He explained the resin tuna was a fun advertising piece and it was sold for £130 to dealer Melissa.

Near the end of the episode, Stuntman David brought along a 1976 toy that inspired his career. He was told his Evel Knievel doll and Stunt World canyon jump were both complete and rare, but none of the bidders met his £400 valuation, so he went home with the set.

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