Michael Baggott, a notable antiques expert from BBC who was featured on the hit show “Flog It!” between 2017 and 2020, passed away at Good Hope Hospital in Birmingham due to a heart attack. He was 51 years old. Prior to his demise, Baggott was admitted to the hospital since October following a stroke.

Baggott was distinguished for his profound knowledge in British silver, boxes, and early spoons. He had made a name for himself in the antiques industry through his roles at eminent auction houses, such as Christie’s and Sotheby’s.

Nick Hall, his co-expert on “Flog It!”, lauded him as “a true connoisseur and ambassador of the antique world” and “a font of knowledge and generous with his knowledge.” Rob Unsworth, the BBC’s head of daytime and early peak commissioning, emphasized Baggott’s “unrivaled knowledge and enthusiasm for antique spoons and silver.” 

Following his admission in October, Baggott was confined to bed at Good Hope Hospital in Birmingham for five weeks. During his prolonged stay, he expressed concerns about his care. In December, he released a video from his hospital bed recounting his battle with dehydration. “I’m dying of thirst,” he stated in the video, voicing his dissatisfaction about the insufficient water supply. He extolled the nursing staff and junior doctors but disparaged the hospital’s senior management for what he deemed as inadequate treatment. His perspective improved after receiving proper hydration, and he gave an update expressing a more positive view of his care.

Over his career, Baggott made significant contributions to the antiques field through his writings. He penned countless articles for The Finial, the journal of the Silver Spoon Club of Great Britain, and authored several books on antiques and silver.

His peer Charles Hanson depicted him as “a giant of our antique industry” who was “never afraid to call out ‘an expert who got it wrong.'” His online followers commended his knowledge, passion, and personality, noting how he brought “a touch of irreverence & humor” to the antique industry.

His extensive knowledge made him an invaluable asset to “Flog It!” until the show was discontinued in 2020. Even though the series has stopped production, his appearances are still treasured by audiences in reruns. Prior to his television career, Baggott had built a formidable reputation in the antiques trade. He served at Christie’s and Sotheby’s auction houses, where he deepened his understanding of silver and other collectibles.

Apart from his appearances on television, Baggott was acclaimed for disseminating his expertise through various mediums. He carried out valuations and appraisals, wrote extensively on silver collecting, and was particularly esteemed for his knowledge of early spoons, a specialized area of silver collecting. His contributions to The Finial helped enlighten collectors and enthusiasts about the complexities of silver collecting and authentication.

His family announced his passing by describing him as a “dearly loved son, brother, nephew and uncle.” They also announced plans for a memorial service to commemorate his life and contributions to the world of antiques.