I’ve always loved a bargain, a car boot sale and the thrill of discovering an unexpected find, so a podcast all about uncovering hidden value felt right up my street.
The premise of Pre-Loved Prophets is simple: helping people discover what their unwanted possessions are worth. What has made the series so fascinating is having Dan Hatfield’s expert knowledge on hand to uncover the stories and the value of everyday items. Time and again he’s revealed that things many of us would overlook can be surprisingly valuable. During the series we’ve featured a 1991 time-travelling Argos catalogue worth £80, a £20 charity shop brooch that’s actually worth £700 and a collection of forgotten Pokémon cards that were found in the loft and are worth over £1,000! As well as vintage bone china, Pyrex dishes and plenty of other forgotten treasures.
It’s also been fantastic to work with Alice Beer. I first worked with Alice many years ago on BBC’s Watchdog, so reuniting on this project has been a real pleasure. One of my favourite items so far is an Armani jacket Alice brings in during Episode 2. It was originally given to her by Anne Robinson after she wore it on Watchdog and, nearly 30 years later, it’s still going strong.
It’s been a wonderful opportunity to shape the look and branding of the podcast from scratch. We decided that the podcast studio should reflect the spirit of the show, so we surrounded Alice and Dan with lots of stuff, which is no mean feat and results in us having a lot of props to transport to each session! At one recording, I arrived with three suitcases full of items and a car packed to the roof.
Producing a podcast has also been a refreshing change from producing linear television. Instead of working to strict programme timings, there’s the freedom to let an interesting conversation continue rather than cutting it short to fit a schedule. The planning is just as important, but the focus is on creating natural conversations and allowing space for the unexpected. It’s also a reminder that many people are listening rather than watching, so every object, reaction and detail needs to be brought to life through words.
Pre-Loved Prophets is full of fascinating stories, surprising valuations and practical tips, but at its heart it’s about giving things a second life. I can’t wait for listeners to discover some hidden gems of their own.
You can listen to Pre-Loved Prophets on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok @prelovedprophets.
https://linktr.ee/prelovedprophetspodcast
