BBC Flog It star dies after heart attack and stroke
A star of the BBC antiques show Flog It has died in hospital after suffering a heart attack. Michael Baggott was admitted to hospital last year after he had been ill for some time. The star appeared on the BBC antiques show from 2017 until 2020.
A statement has been posted on X to share the sad news of his death. It reads: "Heartbroken to share that Michael died yesterday in hospital of a heart attack following a stroke in October. He was a dearly loved son, brother, nephew and uncle who will be deeply and profoundly missed. There will be a memorial service in the coming weeks."
Co-star, Charles Hanson said in a statement shared online: "A giant of our antique industry, our 'Arthur Negus' and never afraid to call out 'an expert who got it wrong including myself. Michael's thirst for knowledge for the object within' merited far more TV time too for a true and proper expert."
READ MORE: Wynne Evans speaks out on ‘forgiveness’ in hint about controversial BBC show moments
READ MORE: Welsh delivery driver just shocked the darts world and won £35k but won't give up his day job
The post saw hundreds of responses from fans. One read: "This is so upsetting. A true gentleman. God bless him." "I'm so very sorry to hear this. Such an interesting expert on #Flogit! Michael was an intelligent and interesting man, bringing a touch of irreverence & humour to this miserable world. I will miss him. Condolences to all his family and friends," said a second.
A third said: "So sad to hear about Michael an amazing authority on silver he will be sadly missed RIP Michael." A fourth added: "Very sad news, he was always very helpful and pleasant to me. An important and valuable asset to the antiques industry. His knowledge and passion inspired many of us. I will miss his instagram and Twitter posts. Condolences to the family."
In December, Michael told fans that he had been left bed bound at Good Hope Hospital in Birmingham for five weeks having suffered a stroke. In a video shared on social media, he said he had been given barely any water and was "dying of thirst". In an emotional video, he said: "It's been a week now and I've been able to take fluids for two days. I was left without any water at all and have become badly dehydrated.
"It's been a week now and I've been able to take fluids for two days. I was left without any water at all and have become badly dehydrated. For the last three days, I've been given a litre of water, which has been insufficient to stop me being dehydrated. The gaps between being given water have been 15 hours, 17 hours with no water, 12 hours with no water and currently 15 hours with no water intravenous."
Michael continued: "I'm dying of thirst in a British NHS hospital and no one seems prepared to do anything about it. I want to say the nursing staff, the junior doctors here, have been the saving grace. They all want to help but they can't. The senior management and the senior doctors, who I never see, always refuse water, always refuse treatment.
"One told me yesterday If I don't buck up my ideas, in three weeks I'll never be able to walk again. Of course the junior staff told me that was nonsense, but it's symptomatic of the treatment in this place. All the staff are busting their gut to help you, the management and the senior surgeons are not."
But just after his update, he said that he was in a "happier" mindset and was feeling "more hopeful" after becoming hydrated. Speaking to fans, he commented: "Hydration at last, Radio 3 blaring and slightly happier, slightly more hopeful. Thank you for everybody who either came or sent a message. Hopefully the way back starts now."
Michael, who specialised in antique silver, smallwork, boxes, early spoons and provincial and continental silver purchased his first antique for just £22 – a Chester silver Vesta case, while he was in school. After his first purchase, Michael climbed the ranks in the antiques world, working at the esteemed auction house Christie's while still a university student. After studying for his degree, he took charge of Sotheby's southern silver department for four years before transitioning to a private consultant role, dealing 'by appointment' in antique silver.
In addition to this, Michael previously followed his passion for early spoons through research into provincial British silver. He's also an accomplished author on the subject of silver, with An Illustrated Guide to York Hallmarks 1776 – 1858 among his published works. He had written numerous articles for The Finial, the journal of the Silver Spoon Club of Great Britain.
