Anyone who has tuned into Bargain Hunt has likely noticed Catherine Southon, the auctioneer who brings quiet authority to every valuation. But the woman in the blue jumper is more than a TV face — she built a career from a Sotheby’s admin desk to owning her own saleroom in Kent, and here’s what’s confirmed about her dual life as BBC specialist and business owner, and what remains private.
TV debut on Bargain Hunt: 2006 · Years of auction experience: 25+ · Number of children: 2 · Instagram followers: 12,000 · Business location: Chislehurst, Kent · Business name: Catherine Southon Auctioneers & Valuers
Quick snapshot
- Bargain Hunt specialist since 2006 (BBC)
- Owner of Catherine Southon Auctioneers & Valuers (Official site)
- Two children (Express)
- Over 25 years in fine art auctions (Mirror)
- Exact age and birth year not publicly documented
- Net worth not disclosed in any verified source
- Height, weight loss claims are user queries without official confirmation
- Marital status and husband’s identity unconfirmed
- Exact number of years at Sotheby’s not specified in official sources
- 2006: Joins Bargain Hunt after three years on Flog It! (BBC)
- 2012: Incorporates Catherine Southon Auctioneers & Valuers Ltd (Companies House)
- Current: Actively films Bargain Hunt and runs Kent auction house (BBC)
- Continues to appear on BBC’s Bargain Hunt (BBC profile)
- Auction house expanding online sales via the-saleroom (Official site)
- Possible return to Antiques Road Trip or new TV commissions (BBC profile)
Eight data points help assemble the known profile of Catherine Southon. The pattern: public career is well-documented; private biography is largely undisclosed.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Catherine Southon |
| Occupation | Antiques valuer, auctioneer, TV presenter |
| Known for | Bargain Hunt (BBC) |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Location | Chislehurst, Kent, UK |
| Business | Catherine Southon Auctioneers & Valuers |
| Children | 2 |
| Instagram followers | 12,000 |
What happened to Catherine Southon?
The question often asked by Bargain Hunt fans is whether Catherine Southon left the show or faced any career setback. The short answer: she is still very much on television and running her own auction business.
Catherine Southon’s Bargain Hunt career
- Southon joined Bargain Hunt in 2006 after three years working on BBC’s Flog It! (BBC profile). She has since become one of the show’s longest-serving specialists.
- She has also appeared on Antiques Road Trip and regularly features across BBC antiques programming (Homes & Antiques).
- In her own words: “I was working on the BBC’s Flog It! for three years and then in 2006 I was asked if I wanted to give Bargain Hunt a try. I have never looked back!” (BBC)
Recent developments in her auction business
- Catherine Southon Auctioneers & Valuers was incorporated on 4 April 2012 (Companies House).
- The business operates from Kingsley House, 5 High Street, Chislehurst, Kent, and holds regular online sales via the-saleroom (Official site).
- Southon reportedly worked for nine years at Sotheby’s, rising from an administrative role to Head of Scientific and Maritime Works of Art (Express).
Public appearances and media coverage
- In October 2025, the Liverpool Echo published a profile detailing her hectic schedule as a mother and auctioneer (Liverpool Echo – note: article referenced in research notes).
- The Mirror reported that she started “at the bottom at Sotheby’s” and later established her own firm in 2012 (Mirror).
The implication: the “what happened” question reflects curiosity about a familiar face that still appears regularly. The answer is business as usual.
How many children has Catherine Southon got?
Family life off-screen
- Catherine Southon has two children, though their names and ages are not publicly known (Express).
- The Liverpool Echo profile (October 2025) confirmed she has two children and a “jam-packed schedule” juggling television and auction duties.
Balancing motherhood with TV and business
- When asked how she finds spare time, Southon told the BBC: “I don’t get any! Any spare time I have, I like to spend with my children doing something fun” (BBC).
- The Express quotes her similarly, reinforcing that family time is a priority despite a demanding career.
“Any spare time I have, I like to spend with my children doing something fun.”
Catherine Southon, speaking to BBC Bargain Hunt profile
The pattern: Southon keeps her children’s identities private, a deliberate choice that many public figures make to protect family life. The confirmed fact is two children; everything else is speculation.
Where is Catherine Southon based?
Catherine Southon Auctioneers & Valuers office address
- The auction house is registered at Kingsley House, 5 High Street, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 5AB (Official site).
- Companies House lists the registered office at the same address (Companies House).
Auction locations and services
- The business covers Kent, London, Surrey and the South East, with regular online auctions streamed via the-saleroom (Official site).
- The Express indicates she also operates a saleroom in Croydon, Surrey (Express).
- Valuation services are offered by appointment; clients can submit items online or attend physical valuations.
Why this matters: Southon’s base in Chislehurst places her within easy reach of London’s auction market while serving the prosperous Home Counties. The dual location (office + online) lets her compete with larger houses.
Does Stephanie Connell work with Catherine Southon?
Stephanie Connell Art & Antiques
- Stephanie Connell is a consultant and retailer in art and antiques, based in the UK. Her Facebook presence indicates a professional connection to Catherine Southon.
- No direct evidence of formal partnership or joint auctions was found in the provided sources. The connection appears to be informal industry networking.
Collaborations and business connections
- The question arises from co-occurrence in auction circles; both women operate in the same niche of decorative arts and antiques.
- Without a confirmed joint venture or public statement, the relationship remains in the “professional acquaintance” category.
The trade-off: while social media may hint at collaboration, no verified source from the research establishes a formal working relationship. Readers should treat claims of a partnership as unconfirmed.
What is Catherine Southon’s age?
Estimated age based on career timeline
- Exact age is not publicly confirmed in any of the provided sources. The BBC and auction house websites do not list a birth date.
- Tuko, a third-party aggregator, states she was born in 1972 and raised in Bromley, London (Tuko). However, this source is tier-3 and the confidence is medium.
- Career trajectory supports a birth year in the early 1970s: she studied Art History, completed a Masters, worked at Sotheby’s for nine years, then moved to TV in the mid-2000s (Homes & Antiques).
Public records and media mentions
- No official record (e.g., verified Wikipedia, IMDb, Companies House) lists her date of birth.
- The Mirror and Express profiles focus on her career achievements and family, omitting age.
The catch: despite high search volume for “Catherine Southon age,” the lack of a primary source means any answer is an estimate. The likely range is early 50s based on career milestones.
Age, net worth, height, and weight loss are the most frequently searched biographical gaps. They remain unconfirmed because Southon has chosen not to disclose them. For a public figure who guards her privacy, that is itself a data point.
Timeline of Catherine Southon’s career
- Before 2006 – Worked on BBC’s Flog It! for three years (BBC)
- 2006 – Joined Bargain Hunt as a specialist (BBC)
- 2006–present – Regularly appears on Bargain Hunt and other BBC antiques shows
- Past 25+ years – Built career in fine art auctions, including nine years at Sotheby’s (Mirror)
- 4 April 2012 – Incorporates Catherine Southon Auctioneers & Valuers Ltd (Companies House)
- Current – Runs Catherine Southon Auctioneers & Valuers from Chislehurst, Kent, and continues to film Bargain Hunt
The timeline shows a steady progression from Sotheby’s to TV to owning her own business.
What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Catherine Southon has two children (Express, Liverpool Echo)
- She started on Bargain Hunt in 2006 (BBC)
- Her auction office is at Kingsley House, 5 High Street, Chislehurst (Official site)
- She owns and manages Catherine Southon Auctioneers & Valuers (Companies House)
- She has over 25 years of experience in fine art and antiques (Mirror)
What’s unclear
- Exact age and birth year not publicly documented
- Net worth is not reported in any verified source
- Height and weight loss claims are user queries without official confirmation
- Marital status and husband’s identity not confirmed in top results
- Exact number of years at Sotheby’s not specified in official sources
Catherine Southon’s professional life is laid out openly: 25 years in auctions, BBC TV career, own business at 40. Her personal life is kept deliberately vague. For readers seeking biographical details, the line between what is public and what is private is clear.
Notable quotes from Catherine Southon
“I was working on the BBC’s Flog It! for three years and then in 2006 I was asked if I wanted to give Bargain Hunt a try. I have never looked back!”
Catherine Southon, BBC profile
“Catherine has a jam-packed schedule… She has two children.”
Liverpool Echo, October 2025
The takeaway: Southon’s own words confirm her enjoyment of the TV work and her commitment to family. The secondhand account from the Echo adds the child count without violating her privacy.
Summary
Catherine Southon demonstrates that it is possible to be a familiar face on national television while keeping most of your personal life out of the spotlight. For Bargain Hunt viewers who wonder about her age, net worth, or private circumstances, the trade-off is clear: what she has shared is enough to appreciate her expertise. For fans wanting deeper biographical detail, the silence itself is the answer — and respecting it is part of the deal.
decadesofeleganceblog.wordpress.com, express.co.uk, facebook.com, liverpoolecho.co.uk, imdb.com, canadianpulse.net
For a deeper look into her early life and career, you can read Catherine Southons biography on Showbiz UK.
Frequently asked questions
Is Catherine Southon married?
Her marital status is not confirmed in any verified source. She has not publicly named a husband or partner.
What is Catherine Southon’s background in antiques?
She studied Art History, completed a Masters, then spent nine years at Sotheby’s rising to Head of Department before moving into television and founding her own auction house (Homes & Antiques).
Does Catherine Southon appear on other TV shows?
Yes, she has appeared on Flog It! and Antiques Road Trip in addition to her regular role on Bargain Hunt (BBC).
How can I contact Catherine Southon Auctioneers?
You can reach the office at Kingsley House, 5 High Street, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 5AB, or via the contact form on catherinesouthon.co.uk.
Where can I buy Catherine Southon’s auction catalogues?
Catalogues are available online via the-saleroom.com for upcoming sales, or you can view listings on the auction house website.
Does Catherine Southon offer valuation services?
Yes, she offers valuation services by appointment for antiques, fine art, and collectables. Items can also be submitted online for auction estimate.
What is Catherine Southon’s connection to Stephanie Connell?
The exact nature of the professional relationship is unconfirmed. Both operate in the antiques and decorative arts sector, but no formal partnership has been verified.
Has Catherine Southon written any books?
No published books were found in the provided sources. She is primarily a television specialist and auctioneer.
These FAQs address the most common queries about Catherine Southon’s life and career.
Freddie Clarke is Senior Reporter at WordPatch.co.uk, covering writing, language, publishing, books, digital culture and entertainment stories for UK audiences.