Bargain Hunt Star James Lewis Ties the Knot with Man 18 Years Younger
Bargain Hunt presenter James Lewis, aged 53, has publicly announced his marriage to Ed Otter, who is 18 years his junior. The couple exchanged vows in a private ceremony last September, attended by just 50 guests, including Lewis's 17-year-old daughter from his previous marriage.
Ex-Wife Annabel Revealed as Antiques Expert
Following the news, Lewis's ex-wife has been identified as Annabel, aged 56, a fellow antiques specialist. The pair married in 1997 and welcomed their daughter, Arabella, in 2008. Lewis has openly stated that his new marriage with Ed is "much easier to work with," highlighting a smoother dynamic in his personal life.
Ed Otter works as the Toys, Trains, and Juvenalia Specialist at Lewis's auction house, a role he previously shared with Annabel. Remarkably, Lewis's daughter Arabella has formed a close bond with Ed, even referring to him as "dad." In an interview, Lewis shared, "I met my husband 15 years ago playing pool, of all things, in the local pub in Derbyshire. Was it love at first sight? Pretty much, yeah. I had split up from my wife, my daughter's mum. And I was just ready."
Family Bonds Influence Wedding Plans
The strong connection between Ed and Arabella played a pivotal role in the wedding arrangements. Lewis revealed that his daughter asked, "Can we have a wide aisle, and can you both walk me up?" on her future wedding day. This heartfelt request made the couple reconsider their initial plan to elope in the United States. Lewis added, "He and Arabella get on so well. I'm very lucky."
Health Scares Marry Joyous Occasion
Despite the happiness of the wedding day, it was overshadowed by concerns over Lewis's health. The presenter, who has survived two cardiac arrests—one in 2013 and another in 2019—disclosed that his heart rate soared to over 250 beats per minute on September 11, the day of his marriage. This is more than double the normal resting heart rate for adults, which typically ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. Lewis recounted, "Last year, I had two instances when they said, your heart rate went up to over 250 beats per minute. That was very close to a cardiac arrest. And they said, what were you doing on May 8 and September 11? September 11 I was getting married."
Career Highlights and Legacy
James Lewis has been a long-running expert on the BBC's popular show Bargain Hunt and previously featured on Flog It! until its conclusion in 2020. His career in antiques and television has made him a familiar face to audiences, adding a layer of public interest to his personal milestones.
