A resurfaced episode of has left viewers gobsmacked after one team made BBC history - for all the wrong reasons.

The episode, which originally aired in 2022 and was hosted by Eric Knowles, saw experts Charles Hanson and Caroline Hawley join contestants in the village of Eccleston, Lancashire. But what unfolded had never been seen in the show's 25-year run. The red team, made up of Geraldine and Washington, became the first ever to fail to present three items for auction - taking just two to the saleroom.

Explaining the mishap, the pair said: "Because there are so many things here - but it's just finding that item that meets the criteria." That criteria meant that one of their buys had to be worth at least £75. But with the clock ticking, they failed to secure a qualifying third item - ending up with only a rare Doulton jug and two vintage tennis racquets, both under the threshold. Eric Knowles broke the news on camera, telling them: "I've got to say, you have made Bargain Hunt history by virtue of you only managing to buy two items."

Expert Charles Hanson was equally stunned, saying: "I like to play to the wire but it went badly, badly wrong. We failed on the challenge. We failed with our big spend. I'm sorry, team. It really happened."

Under show rules, Eric added: "The ruling is that because you didn't do the £75 spend, you start with minus £75."

The reds were then thrown a lifeline in the form of a bonus buy: an Art Deco clock for £200 - which, luckily, went under the hammer for £380. That last-minute victory left them with a £130 profit, and a lot of relieved laughter.

But fans watching at home were divided. One user posted on X: "They shouldn't have been allowed a bonus if they hadn't bought three items!"

Another viewer wrote: "Shouldn't have been allowed to compete with only a £75 forfeit. Should've been disqualified in my opinion!"

A third person, however, saw the funny side: "Brilliant! This has got to be the best episode ever! What larks!"

It's not the first time Bargain Hunt has bent its own rules. A 2018 celebrity episode had to be reshot when Bez's girlfriend accidentally bid on his team's items - breaking strict rules that bar friends or family from taking part in auctions.

The controversy comes just weeks after Charles Hanson returned to TV following a high-profile court case. The antiques expert, 46, was found not guilty in February after facing allegations of abuse and coercive control from his ex-wife, Rebecca.

Speaking outside Derby Crown Court, Hanson said: "I'm delighted after a year and half that the truth has finally come out and can finally live my life and feel this burden has finally been lifted."

He added: "These last 18 months have been extremely upsetting. I have missed my children and quite simply I can now get back to my life and I relish that."

Bargain Hunt is available to watch on BBC One and stream on iPlayer.