With his colourful hat, Ochuko Ojiri is a popular expert on BBC's Bargain Hunt(Image: BBC)

Inside Bargain Hunt expert Ochuko Ojiri's life from family to businesses

Ochuko Ojiri has been a favourite expert on Bargain Hunt since 2019 and also appears on the BBC's Antiques Road Trip, but what do we know about his life off camera?

by · DevonLive

Bargain Hunt expert Ochuko Ojiri has been a familiar face on our screens, helping teams secure profits at auctions. With his infectious smile and colourful hat, he has also travelled the country on the show's sister programme Antiques Road Trip on BBC One.

As an antiques expert, Ojiri is always ready to lend a hand to contestants and have a laugh along the way. But what do we know about his life outside of the TV spotlight?

Away from the cameras, Ochuko Ojiri leads a private and peaceful life. He is the owner of an art gallery and has a passion for collecting antiques.

But what else do we know about his life outside of his television career?

How Ochuko Ojiri started in antiques including business ventures

Ochuko Ojiri laughs with blue team on Bargain Hunt(Image: BBC One)

Growing up, Ojiri developed a love for art and antiques, which eventually led him to build a career in arts. When asked why he chose this career path, he joked: "No other industry would accept my rare mixture of sarcasm, cynicism and passion. Ha-ha!".

The Express reports this passion led him to open a vintage shop and art gallery called Pelicans and Parrots with Juliet Da Silva. Located in Dalston, the venue was dubbed "the coolest place in London" and sold a curated selection of contemporary furniture, houseware, and gifts.

In 2019, Ojiri told the local council about the business' success, saying: "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 and Parrots shut its doors back in October 2021 as owner Ochuko Ojiri turned his attention to new business pursuits.

When quizzed on what guidance he would offer to those keen on entering the antiques trade, he advised: "Forget all the rules and buy what you love. The chances are someone else will love it too."

Ochuko's knack for unearthing hidden gems and his passion for antiques didn't go unnoticed by the BBC and he was invited to join the series Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is. His stint on the show earned him praise from viewers who described him as a "breath of fresh air" and "a great addition" to the popular daytime programme.

Ochuko Ojiri joked he has "absolutely no idea" how he ended up on Bargain Hunt, although it's widely speculated that the BBC approached him to join the show as an expert.

Is Ochuko Ojiri in a relationship or married? How Ojiri enjoys life off TV

Bargain Hunt expert Ochuko Ojiri has his own gallery(Image: BBC)

While Ochuko Ojiri tends to keep his personal life out of the public eye and off social media, he has a family including a daughter.

The family once visited the Margate Exhibition, which was curated by Talk Art co-host and actor Russell Tovey at the Carl Freedman Gallery, where they posed for photoshoots.

When having some downtime, he confessed to enjoying watching reality TV, savouring pastries, and sipping red wine.

Beyond the lens, Ochuko is not just passionate about antiques - he's also an avid collector of contemporary art, including paintings and sculptures. He's the brains behind Ramp Gallery, a London-based gallery that champions emerging and contemporary artists.

The Ojiri Gallery in London has blossomed into a hub for contemporary art. He told the BBC: "Contemporary art, paintings, prints, sculpture and drawings. I'm absolutely obsessed, in love and infatuated."

Why does Ochuko Ojiri wear a hat?

Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip expert Ochuko Ojiri is a popular face on the BBC(Image: BBC)

The Bargain Hunt icon is known for never appearing on-screen without his distinctive hat. It's not just for the cameras though - he's been embracing colourful hats well before his television career began, marking them as a signature element of his persona.

Ochuko told Style Savage, "For as long as I can remember, I've worn a hat every day," His fashion sense is inspired by the stylish elders he saw in his youth: "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."

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