Bargain Hunt fans called out a "scandal" on the BBC show as an item was disqualified.
On March 4, host Natasha Raskin Sharp welcomed the red and blue teams to the show. As part of the show, the teams were issued with a challenge from Natasha to find an item which matched a certain criteria.
Mum and son Ann and James on the blue team were tasked with finding a maritime object at Westpoint. Meanwhile, friends Lisa and Helen on the reds had to get an agricultural lot, reported Devon Live. The blues purchased a menu holder from a shipping liner for £70 and the reds plumped for a mole spade, costing them £18.
READ MORE: M&S shoppers are buying 'flattering' £25 dress 'in every colour'
With the latter, it was thought by the reds and their expert Philip Serrell that it was a spade for digging out moles, which would have fitted in their chosen category. However, when they arrived at the auction house, they were in for a shock.
At Ottery Auction Rooms, David Sumner casted his eye over the spade and said he thought it was a bread peel from the 19th Century, which was used to get crumbs out of the oven. He said he had come to this decision after speaking to multiple other experts, who said it was not a mole spade, so was not an agricultural item.
Natasha added that the Bargain Hunt team had also inspected it and they also believed it was not a mole spade. This led to Natasha saying she had decided to disqualify the item.
When they arrived at the auction house, the reds were informed of the bad news, although antiques expert Philip said he thought the call was "wrong". Then the item went up for auction and much to the team's devastation, sold for £50, giving it a £32 profit.
The decision to disqualify the red team's item proved to be controversial. After it made a decent profit, Ariande Griffin tweeted: "Absolute scandal."
They added: "The way they made them stand there and watch it make a profit. A villain origin story unfolds."
Meanwhile, Cornish Girl weighed in on Twitter. She said: "Disqualified spade makes a profit."
Once the rest of their items were sold, Lisa and Helen were on a £55 loss. However, despite having a full quota of items go to sale, the blues still ended up being defeated, ending on a loss of £63.
Receive newsletters with the biggest and breaking TV and showbiz news by signing up here
For more celeb news, videos and pictures follow our designated Facebook page HERE
READ NEXT:
Three people found dead after five went missing following night out in Wales
Good Morning Britain's Ben Shephard warns Kate Garraway 'could be jailed' after career confession
Emmerdale Dominic Brunt's famous wife, surprise venture with co-star and show exit admission
Passport warning to all Spanish holidaymakers
DWP give new update on Cost of Living £900 payment dates ahead of spring
