Adrian “Adi” Higham is one of the most fascinating figures in the antiques world, widely recognized for his appearances on BBC One’s The Bidding Room. Known for his colorful personality, passion for unusual collectibles, and resilience through personal health struggles, Adrian has carved out a unique space in the British antiques industry. While many people know him as the charming dealer on television, his life story is rich with personal battles, business achievements, and ongoing curiosity about his family life, health, and financial success.
This article explores in detail: Who is Adrian Higham? What is his net worth? Has he faced illness? Who is his partner? Is he married and does he have children? And finally, is Adrian Higham still alive today?
Who is Adrian Higham?
Adrian Higham, often simply called “Adi,” is a British antiques dealer and television personality. His fame skyrocketed when he became one of the featured dealers on The Bidding Room, a BBC One program where ordinary people bring in items to sell while a panel of expert dealers compete to purchase them.
Adrian is known for his particular love of quirky, unusual, and mechanical antiques. Old toys, vintage cars, bicycles, and French decorative pieces often catch his eye. He describes himself as someone who loves “the unusual,” which makes him stand out even among experienced dealers.
His professional base is Hoof Brocante, an antiques business located in Romney Marshes on the border of Kent and East Sussex. Hoof Brocante is not just a shop but an experience, where Adrian and his partner curate an eclectic mix of furniture, vintage finds, collectibles, and odd treasures. His passion for sourcing and selling antiques dates back to his early twenties, when he started buying and restoring old signs. Over time, his expertise and adventurous taste helped him build a reputable career in the antiques trade.
Adrian Higham’s Career Journey
Adrian’s journey into the antiques world is inspiring because it was fueled by genuine passion rather than formal training. At just 21 years old, he bought and restored a sign, selling it for a profit. This small success ignited his love for the trade.
Throughout the years, he expanded his business from signs to a wide variety of antiques and collectibles. His love for French brocante (decorative antiques often found in French flea markets) shaped the identity of his shop, Hoof Brocante.
His television career began with The Bidding Room, where he quickly became a fan favorite. Audiences were drawn to his down-to-earth humor, his confident yet approachable presence, and his clear enthusiasm for antiques. Television exposure also boosted his antiques business, attracting customers from far beyond his local community.
Adrian Higham Net Worth
Adrian Higham’s exact net worth is difficult to determine, as he does not publicly share financial records. However, entertainment and celebrity profile websites commonly estimate his net worth to be around $1 million to $5 million USD.
Sources of Income
- Antiques Business (Hoof Brocante):
The mainstay of Adrian’s income is undoubtedly his antiques shop. Hoof Brocante has built a strong reputation among collectors and enthusiasts looking for rare and unusual pieces. - Television Appearances:
His role on The Bidding Room not only provided direct income but also expanded his visibility, indirectly benefiting his antiques trade by attracting new customers. - Media and Related Ventures:
While less documented, it is likely Adrian has earned from event appearances, collaborations in the antiques community, and other ventures tied to his growing fame.
In sum, while we cannot place a precise number on his fortune, his long career, successful antiques business, and media appearances justify the million-dollar estimates.
Adrian Higham Illness and Health Journey
One of the most discussed aspects of Adrian’s life is his health. He has openly shared parts of his journey, which include struggles with obesity and related conditions.
- 2015 Medical Emergency: In 2015, Adrian collapsed on a ferry. The incident was linked to his weight and health problems, becoming a turning point in his life.
- Family History of Diabetes: Adrian revealed that diabetes runs strongly in his family, further motivating him to take his health more seriously.
- Weight Loss Efforts: Following his scare, Adrian began significant efforts to lose weight. He joined challenges like the Prudential RideLondon Fixing Challenge, which involved cycling and fitness training.
- Results: Reports suggest that he lost over five stone (about 70 pounds) at one stage, showing determination and resilience.
His health journey continues to inspire fans who appreciate his openness about the challenges he has faced. Importantly, despite rumors circulating online, Adrian Higham is still alive and active in his business and media presence.
Adrian Higham’s Partner and Married Life
Adrian is married to Tara Franklin, who also shares his passion for antiques and works alongside him at Hoof Brocante. Tara is often described as both his life partner and business partner, contributing to their shop’s unique and carefully curated offerings.
Before his marriage to Tara, Adrian reportedly suffered personal tragedy. Sources suggest his first wife passed away in 2003, a painful experience that shaped his personal journey. Later, he found companionship and love again with Tara, with whom he continues to share both personal and professional life.
Does Adrian Higham Have Children?
One of the most frequently asked questions about Adrian is whether he has children. Interestingly, there is little to no public information available about Adrian Higham’s children. Most biographies and celebrity profiles either omit this detail or state that his children, if any, remain private.
It appears that Adrian prefers to keep certain aspects of his personal life out of the spotlight, and details about his family—beyond his marriage to Tara Franklin—remain undisclosed.
Is Adrian Higham Married?
Yes. Adrian Higham is married. His wife and partner is Tara Franklin, a fellow antiques dealer. Together, they operate Hoof Brocante and have become a recognizable couple in the antiques scene.
Their relationship combines business with personal life, a dynamic that has proven successful both in television fame and in building their antiques brand.
Is Adrian Higham Still Alive?
Yes, Adrian Higham is very much alive. As of 2025, he continues to run Hoof Brocante, appear in media, and stay active in the antiques community.
That said, his name has occasionally surfaced in local news stories due to personal disputes. In mid-2025, reports indicated that he was subject to an interim stalking protection order relating to a dispute with former neighbors. While this made headlines, it does not change the fact that he is still alive and active.
Recent News
In July 2025, news outlets reported that Adrian Higham had been issued an interim court order in a local dispute. The order restricted him from contacting or surveilling former neighbors. Adrian reportedly expressed regret about the situation, even saying he wished he had “never gone into TV” because of the added scrutiny.
While controversies like this have made their way into the press, they should be understood in context. Adrian’s public persona is largely shaped by his role on The Bidding Room and his antiques business, both of which remain his primary identity.
Legacy and Public Image
Adrian Higham’s story is one of resilience and passion. From humble beginnings as a young man flipping old signs, he grew into a respected antiques dealer and television personality. Despite health struggles and personal tragedy, he reinvented himself multiple times—first as a successful businessman, later as a TV favorite, and most recently as someone tackling his health challenges head-on.
His fans admire him not just for his antiques expertise but also for his honesty about life’s challenges, his humor, and his eye for the unusual.
Conclusion
Adrian Higham’s life is a rich tapestry of triumphs, setbacks, and resilience. He is more than just a dealer on The Bidding Room—he is a businessman, a husband, a survivor of health challenges, and a figure who continues to capture public curiosity.
- Who is Adrian Higham? A British antiques dealer and TV personality.
- Net Worth: Estimated between $1 million and $5 million.
- Illness: Faced health challenges linked to weight and family history of diabetes.
- Partner: Married to Tara Franklin, who co-runs Hoof Brocante.
- Children: Not publicly confirmed.
- Is he still alive? Yes, active in 2025.
For fans of antiques, television enthusiasts, and those inspired by personal resilience, Adrian Higham remains a name to remember.
This article was prepared for publication on Empire Blogs Celebrities.
