Theatre star’s history slot on Bargain Hunt TV show

Viewers watching the Bargain Hunt TV programme on Monday (April 3) will spot a familiar face outlining an amazing piece of history.

Little Theatre actor, panto creator and drama director Nick Earnshaw features during the show’s visit to his home town of Stafford, where the bygones team explores the story of famous writer Izaak Walton.

Nick, who combines his drama work with being a local tour guide, will help tell the tale of Walton who in the 1600s followed a career as a draper with a shop in London’s Fleet Street, before switching to writing – including penning one of the world’s best-selling books The Compleat Angler.

“Isaak who was a staunch Royalist actually wanted to write about the king and politics, but could not because the Civil War was on, and he would have had his head chopped off. So he wrote about the joys of fishing, and encouraged people to do it, to calm down and enjoy the countryside. ”

But amid the tranquillity of the riverbank Walton, who would have had his 430th birthday this year, was also involved in an incredible and dangerous adventure. He rescued a hidden Crown jewel from the area, and smuggled it to a prisoner in the Tower of London who escaped and took it to Charles II in exile which helped him rally forces and become king.

Nick will explain the story to show host Christina Trevanion at Isaak Walton’s Cottage during the mid-show local history feature before the teams take their finds to the auction.

“I even got to hold an original copy of The Compleat Angler, but had to wear white gloves, because it is worth about £1m.” he said.

“It was a pleasure to feature in this episode of Bargain Hunt and I hope more people learn about Izaak Walton and want to research him further. He was a humble man who accomplished many fascinating things during his lifetime”.

Nick is back in Sheringham this weekend just before the show airs to begin rehearsing the Easter youth production of Disney’s Jungle Book. He will be at the theatre for the summer season directing The Hound of the Baskervilles, and is writing this year’s Cinderella panto. He will also appear at the Sheriff of Nottingham in the Robin Hood panto at sister theatre St George’s in Great Yarmouth.

Bargain Hunt airs on Monday April 3 at 12.15 after which it will also be available on iPlayer.