Adrian Higham Net Worth, Health & Wife: The Full Story of The Bidding Room Star
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Adrian Higham is one of Britain’s most recognisable antique dealers, known to millions as “Adi” — the larger-than-life bidder on BBC One’s hit daytime show The Bidding Room. But beyond his sharp eye for rare collectibles and his infectious energy on television, Adrian Higham’s real story is one of personal loss, health battles, and an extraordinary comeback that has made him far more than just a television antiques dealer. This is the complete biography of Adrian Higham — his career, his illness, his weight loss journey, his wife Tara Franklin, and everything in between.
Adrian Higham Personal Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Adrian “Adi” Higham |
| Date of Birth | 1968 / 1969 (exact date not publicly confirmed) |
| Age (2025) | Approximately 56–57 years old |
| Nationality | British |
| Place of Birth | Brookland, Kent, England |
| Residence | East Sussex / Romney Marshes area |
| Profession | Antique Dealer, Television Personality |
| Business | Hoof Brocante |
| TV Show | The Bidding Room (BBC One) |
| First Wife | Passed away in 2003 |
| Current Wife | Tara Franklin |
| Estimated Net Worth | $1 million – $2 million (approx. £1 million) |
| @hoof.antiques_brocante |
Who Is Adrian Higham?
Adrian Higham is a celebrated British antique dealer and BBC One television personality best known as one of the eight expert dealers on The Bidding Room, presented by Nigel Havers. Based in East Sussex near the Romney Marshes, Adi has spent more than 30 years building a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable and charismatic auction specialists in the United Kingdom.
His antiques expertise is broad and wonderfully eclectic. From French decorative antiques and vintage furniture to mechanical toys, steam engines, old signs, and rare collectibles, Adi has carved a distinctive niche in the British antique trade. He is also the owner of Hoof Brocante, a well-loved antiques business set within two old buildings on a former RAF base on the East Sussex and Kent border — a destination that draws interior designers, private collectors, and vintage enthusiasts from across the country.
What separates Adrian Higham from most antiques experts is his personality. He describes himself as a “larger-than-life character” with a love for teddy bears, mechanical objects, and anything that puffs steam. His warmth, humour, and genuine passion for the trade made him an instant fan favourite on The Bidding Room, where he regularly attracted around three million viewers per episode.
Adrian Higham Antiques Career: How It All Began
Adrian Higham’s entry into the antiques world was not the result of formal training. It was, as he has described it himself, a happy accident driven by instinct and a sharp eye for value.
At the age of 21, while working in a signage business, Adi purchased a mountain bike at a local village auction for just £10. He sold it for £90 — nine times what he paid. That single transaction ignited a lifelong passion. As he told Source Vintage, “The buzz was incredible. So then I started going to loads of auctions and bought bits I liked. This is where my journey started.”
From there, he moved into renovating and selling old signs, then expanded into furniture, and eventually became a full-time antique dealer. His time living in France for over 20 years gave him a deep love for French brocante — second-hand and vintage goods — and shaped the character of Hoof Brocante. The shop specialises in French decorative antiques, art, interior design, vintage furniture, classic brocante, and clothing, and is considered a standout destination among East Sussex antiques businesses.
His specialisms include early French oil jars from the south, galvanised pots, hand-painted signs, pedal cars, classic vehicles, and particularly mechanical objects of all kinds. He has openly said there is “probably nothing he would steer clear of,” which reflects both his adventurous spirit as a vintage collector and his deep knowledge of the antique market.
Adrian Higham and The Bidding Room
In 2020, Adrian Higham’s profile reached an entirely new level when he was cast as one of the eight expert dealers on BBC One’s The Bidding Room. The show features members of the public bringing in antiques and valuables, which are then appraised and bid upon by a panel of competing dealers — all under the watchful eye of presenter Nigel Havers.
From his very first episode, Adi stood out. His “say what he feels” attitude, his boisterous but warm personality, and his obvious depth of knowledge made him a favourite among viewers almost immediately. He was particularly known on the show for his love of teddy bears and mechanical toys — items he would happily bid high on simply because they “spoke to him” emotionally, not just financially.
The Bidding Room cast included James Broad, Lucy Ryder Richardson, Moses Otunla, Ian Humphries, James Gooch, Jane Cave, and Natasha Francis alongside Adi. But among this talented group of British auction dealers, Adi’s personality consistently shone through. His approach to antiques — that they should bring joy and character to a room, not just serve as financial investments — resonated deeply with the show’s audience.
His appearances on The Bidding Room not only made him a household name but also brought significant attention to Hoof Brocante, attracting new customers and collectors who had discovered him through the screen.
Adrian Higham Net Worth
As of 2025, Adrian Higham’s net worth is estimated at approximately $1 million to $2 million (around £1 million). This wealth has been accumulated steadily over more than three decades in the antiques business, and supplemented by his television appearances on The Bidding Room.
His primary income stream is Hoof Brocante, which operates as both a physical antiques business and increasingly through online platforms. His ability to source stock directly from France — through barn brocantes, private château sales, and vintage markets — gives the business a unique edge, particularly with interior designers and private collectors who seek one-of-a-kind French decorative antiques.
His television presence added a further revenue stream, as did personal appearances and his growing social media following under @hoof.antiques_brocante. While Adrian Higham has never been the type to chase celebrity, his fame from the BBC show undeniably contributed to his financial profile and expanded the reach of his antique business owner career.
Adrian Higham Wife: Tara Franklin
Adrian Higham is married to Tara Franklin, a fellow antiques dealer and textile expert who is also his business partner at Hoof Brocante. Tara specialises in antique French textiles, vintage linens, and classic French clothing — a complement to Adi’s passion for mechanical objects and decorative antiques. Together, they regularly make buying trips to France, sourcing stock from private barn brocantes and châteaux across Normandy and the south.
Tara is described by those who know the couple as the steady heart behind much of Adi’s personal happiness and professional success. She has been at his side through his most difficult health challenges, and her support during his illness and recovery is widely credited as a defining factor in his turnaround.
Their partnership is both personal and professional — they share a passion for the trade, a love of French vintage style, and a dedication to making Hoof Brocante a truly special destination. Tara also plays a key role in organising events such as the Penshurst Vintage and Antiques Fair, where her expertise in textiles and French antiques is highly valued.
Adrian Higham First Wife: The Loss That Changed Everything
Before Tara Franklin, Adrian Higham was married to another woman whose identity has remained largely private. His first wife passed away in 2003. Her death was a profound and devastating blow that impacted every area of Adi’s life — emotionally, physically, and personally.
In the years following her passing, Adrian struggled deeply with grief. He developed a consuming disorder and began gaining significant weight. What started as a response to emotional pain slowly became a serious and dangerous health condition that would take years to address. The loss of his first wife is rightly described as the turning point that led to Adrian Higham’s most serious health struggles.
Adrian Higham Health: The Full Story
Adrian Higham’s health challenges are among the most talked-about aspects of his public life, and he has been admirably open about them over the years.
After the death of his first wife in 2003, his weight increased dramatically. By 2015, he had reached approximately 36 stone — a weight that placed him under enormous physical strain and carried serious medical risks, particularly given that his family has a known history of diabetes. In 2015, the situation reached a critical turning point when Adrian collapsed on a ferry. The incident shocked those around him and served as a wake-up call that could not be ignored. Doctors warned him directly: lose weight or face the consequences.
This moment of crisis became the beginning of his recovery. In 2017, Adrian was selected for the Prudential Ride London Fixing Challenge — a programme that provided him with personalised fitness training, diet guidance, and lifestyle advice. The challenge culminated in him completing the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100, a 100-mile cycling event around London and into the Surrey hills.
Speaking about his experience at the time, Adrian said: “Two years ago, I collapsed on a ferry because I was 36 stone in weight. I couldn’t believe it when I was told I had got a place on the challenge. Five months ago, I couldn’t even get on a bike but now I’m cycling every day and it’s brilliant.” By the time of the challenge, he had already lost over five stone through commitment and sustained effort.
His health journey also included a serious back injury and, according to multiple reports, a nine-month hospital stay — one of the most challenging periods of his life. Through it all, Tara Franklin remained by his side, and the support of fellow Bidding Room dealer Moses Otunla is also noted as having been particularly meaningful during this time.
Adrian Higham Weight Loss Journey
Adrian Higham’s weight loss story is one of genuine resilience and determination. From a peak of around 36 stone following the grief of losing his first wife, he has worked consistently and courageously to reclaim his health.
The Prudential RideLondon challenge in 2017 marked a public milestone in that journey, demonstrating not just physical transformation but a shift in mindset. Cycling became a central part of his recovery, and his willingness to share his story openly has inspired many who face similar struggles.
His health transformation is ongoing. As of 2025 and into 2026, Adrian continues to manage his health alongside the demands of running Hoof Brocante and maintaining his presence in the antiques world. The journey has made him a far more relatable and inspiring figure — a man who shows that recovery is possible regardless of how dark things become.
Adrian Higham Illness: What Disease Does He Have?
Many fans have asked about the specific nature of Adrian Higham’s illness. His primary health challenge has been severe obesity, which developed after the traumatic loss of his first wife and led to a consuming disorder. His family background includes a strong history of diabetes, which raised the stakes of his weight issues considerably.
The 2015 collapse on the ferry brought his condition into sharp public focus, and since then, his proactive approach to weight loss and lifestyle change has been widely covered. There is no confirmed diagnosis of a single named disease, but the combination of grief-driven weight gain, obesity, diabetes risk, back injury, and the mental health impact of personal loss and legal difficulties paints a picture of a man who has faced a genuine health transformation journey from multiple directions.
Adrian Higham in 2025 and 2026: Where Is He Now?
Adrian Higham is alive, active, and continuing to build his life in East Sussex with wife Tara Franklin. As of 2025 and early 2026, he remains focused on running Hoof Brocante, making sourcing trips to France, and engaging with his loyal community of collectors and fans through social media at @hoof.antiques_brocante.
While his presence on The Bidding Room has shifted over recent series, he remains a legacy member of the original dealer cast and is regarded as one of the programme’s most beloved personalities. His story — from antiques novice at 21 to BBC One television personality, through profound personal loss, serious illness, and a hard-won recovery — continues to inspire.
He is a man who has rebuilt his life more than once, and who continues to find purpose and joy in the rare, the unusual, and the beautifully aged.
Final Thoughts
Adrian Higham is far more than an antique dealer or a BBC television personality. He is a British antique dealer with over 30 years of genuine expertise, a business owner who has built something lasting in Hoof Brocante, and a man whose personal story of loss, illness, weight loss, and recovery makes him one of the most genuinely human figures in British television.
His net worth of approximately £1 million reflects decades of quiet dedication to his craft. His marriage to Tara Franklin reflects a second chapter of love and stability built after heartbreak. And his health journey — from 36 stone and collapsing on a ferry to cycling 100 miles through the Surrey hills — reflects a resilience that goes far beyond anything a bidding room could test.
Adrian Higham’s story is one worth knowing fully. And knowing it makes every moment he appears on screen, or opens the doors of Hoof Brocante, feel like something to celebrate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Adrian Higham
What is Adrian Higham’s net worth?
Adrian Higham’s net worth is estimated at around $1 million to $2 million (approximately £1 million), built through his antiques business Hoof Brocante and his television career on BBC One’s The Bidding Room.
Who is Adrian Higham’s wife?
Adrian Higham is married to Tara Franklin, a textile expert and antiques dealer who co-runs Hoof Brocante with him. She specialises in antique French textiles and vintage French clothing.
What happened to Adrian Higham’s first wife?
Adrian Higham’s first wife passed away in 2003. Her death had a profound impact on his life, contributing to significant weight gain and the health struggles he faced in the years that followed.
What illness does Adrian Higham have?
Adrian Higham’s primary health challenge has been severe obesity, which developed after the loss of his first wife. He collapsed on a ferry in 2015 at a weight of around 36 stone, and has since undergone a significant weight loss and health transformation journey.
Is Adrian Higham still on The Bidding Room?
Adrian Higham remains associated with The Bidding Room as one of its original cast members. While his appearances have varied across series, he continues to be regarded as one of the show’s most beloved antique dealers.
Where is Hoof Brocante located?
Hoof Brocante is located on a former RAF base on the East Sussex and Kent border near the Romney Marshes. The shop specialises in French decorative antiques, vintage furniture, clothing, and classic brocante items.
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