Bargain Hunt expert Ochuko Ojiri has been on our screens for several years as he helps teams land a profit in auctions. With his smile and colourful hat, Ojiri has also travelled the country on its sister show Antiques Road Trip on BBC One.

Ready with plenty of enthusiasm, the antiques expert has been primed with bundles of enthusiasm when it comes to giving contestants a hand in turning a profit.

Outside of TV, 52-year-old Ochuko Ojiri lives a private and peaceful life, has his own art gallery and loves collecting antiques. But what else do we know about his life off-camera?

Ochuko Ojiri grew up with a love of art and antiques and quickly built a career in antiques. Asked why he chose a career in antiques, he said: "No other industry would accept my rare mixture of sarcasm, cynicism and passion. Ha-ha!"

This passion led him to open a vintage shop and art gallery Pelicans & Parrots with Juliet Da Silva.

The business on Stoke Newington Road in Dalston, which was dubbed "the coolest place in London", sold contemporary furniture, curated houseware and gifts.

The venue won the right to serve alcohol to support pop-up events and exhibitions as Ojiri told the local council about the business' success in 2019: "We've been trading since 2010, and have been integral to the regeneration of the area. We're very proud of what we've achieved in those nine years. We've taken risks and we're proudly part of the community."

Pelicans & Parrots closed down in October 2021 as Ochuko Ojiri focused on other business ventures.

When asked what advice he would give to anyone wanting to work in antiques, he said: "Forget all the rules and buy what you love. The chances are someone else will love it too."

Ochuko's love for antiques and spotting bargains caught the eye of the BBC and he appeared on the BBC series Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is where viewers shared he was a "breath of fresh air" and "a great addition" to the former daytime series.

Ochuko Ojiri quipped he has "absolutely no idea" how he got involved in Bargain Hunt, but it is widely believed he was approached to become an expert on the BBC daytime series.

Ochuko Ojiri keeps his private life off his social media but he has his own family, including a daughter.

They once visited and posed for photos at the Margate Exhibition curated by Talk Art co-host and actor Russell Tovey for Carl Freedman Gallery.

In his downtime, he shared he "loves" watching reality TV, eating pastries and drinking red wine to help him unwind.

We know he loves antiques and collects when he is away from the camera. Ochuko is also an avid collector of contemporary art, paintings, and sculptures and is the founder of Ramp Gallery, a London-based gallery specialising in emerging and contemporary artists.

This evolved into the contemporary art gallery Ojiri Gallery in London. He told the BBC: "Contemporary art, paintings, prints, sculpture and drawings. I'm absolutely obsessed, in love and infatuated."

Bargain Hunt fans will know Ochuko is never seen without his trusty hat. He has worn colourful hats long before his TV debut and it's part of his unique character.

"For as long as I can remember, I've worn a hat every day," Ochuko explained to Style Savage.

"I think it goes back to growing up in the 70s and 80s and seeing these old black guys in their hats, accessorising those sharp suits.

"More than being underdressed, I feel undressed without a hat.

"People fail to recognise me if, for whatever reason, I am hatless. Hats are an important part of my look."