Happy Mondays' Bez caught artificially inflating prices on Bargain Hunt
A runner on the show spotted the rule-breaking
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A special episode of Bargain Hunt had to be reshot after Happy Mondays percussionist Bez was found to have cheated during the BBC show’s auction segment.
Bez, real name Mark Berry, went head-to-head with Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker as part of BBC Music Day on Friday, clinching victory after breaking the show’s rule about family and friends not taking part in auctions.
Bez’s girlfriend bid on, and won, Bez and Happy Mondays bandmate Rowetta’s two items – a mirror and a music turntable.
Bez returned the £8 profit, saying: “It was a genuine error. My girlfriend thought she was helping out.”
The show’s executive producer Paul Tucker added: “We have rules and regulations on Bargain Hunt and we have to make sure [the customers] abide by them.
“It was picked up by a runner and we verified there were clearly misdemeanours going on. It was a genuine rule that was broken and we had to reshoot the end.”
“They are rock and rollers and they live on the edge as they did in the 80s. It’s not a surprise but in the end it was quite amusing.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments