Flog It! axed by BBC after 17-year run

The broadcaster has axed the show to make room for six new commissions

The series, hosted by Paul Martin, has been a regular feature on BBC One since 2002 (Geoff Moore/REX)

Antiques programme Flog It! has been cancelled by the BBC after 17 years as part of the broadcaster’s daytime TV schedule shakeup.

The series, hosted by Paul Martin, has been a regular feature on BBC One since 2002 and has run for more than 1,000 episodes. However, it has been axed to make room for six new commissions that aim to “modernise” the daytime schedule.

“We’d like to thank BBC Studios and host Paul Martin, who we will be working with on other programmes,” a BBC spokesperson said.

Episodes that have already been recorded will air into 2019 before the series finally ends.

The Antiques Roadshow-style programme sees members of the public having their antique items appraised by experts before being given the option to sell them at auction.

The six new commissions previously confirmed to be airing on BBC One later this year include a programme about Britain’s housing crisis and a business-based series focused on new inventions.

Britain’s Housing Scandal will shine a light on the 200,000 domestic properties that are said to remain empty despite an estimated 140 families becoming homeless every day, according to housing charity Shelter.

Watchdog and Fake Britain host Matt Allwright will expose the nationwide crisis across the five-part series while trying to pair empty houses with people in need.

The Customer Is Always Right will see each episode focus on three entrepreneurs trying to launch their inventions, ranging from pet accessories to home and garden tools.

They will test their products on potential customers and learn the sometimes harsh truth about their creations.

Elsewhere, DIY SOS host Nick Knowles will host a show about the real world trend of commissioning artwork in Home Is Where The Art Is, and The Best House In Town will look at homeowners across the country who go the extra mile to make their houses stand out from the crowd.

Looking forward to the festive season, chef Paul Ainsworth and home cook Catherine Fulvio will pair up to present new series Best Christmas Food Ever.

The BBC also confirmed new factual series Defenders UK, which follows the work of enforcement agencies across the country who crack down on crooks and conmen, including fly-tippers and unlicensed taxi drivers.

Dan McGolpin, controller of BBC programming and daytime described the new commissions as a “new generation of daytime television programmes” for the channel.

“They are modern, accessible and relevant to viewers all around the UK.”

Additional reporting by agencies