DAILY MAIL BOOK OF THE WEEK

'A sparkling memoir... My hope is that Philip Serrell will do for the antiques trade what James Herriot did for cow's bottoms, as his memoir contains every ingredient for similar popular success... Serrell is laugh-out-loud funny.' Roger Lewis, Daily Mail

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When Philip Serrell gave up teaching to become a professional auctioneer, he thought he was embarking on a sensible and safe career... a quiet life in the country with no surprises. How wrong he was. In What Am I Bid? he tells of life after the events he described in his previous memoirs, An Auctioneer's Lot and Sold to the Man with the Tin Leg, to bring his story up to date. From dodgy cars to fakes in the saleroom; angry livestock, mangled silverware and tortuous - not to mention muddy - experiences in local markets and farm sales, Philip has been there, done that and got the hoofprints on his suit to prove it.

Philip has now been an auctioneer for over 30 years. His first job saw him cleaning out the cattle pens at a local livestock market. After a few years Philip was able to set up business on his own, establishing 'Philip Serrell Auctioneers and Valuers' in 1995.

Through his work he has met some interesting and wonderful people and he has written two books based on his life as a country auctioneer. He is also a regular face on many antiques television programmes such as Bargain Hunt and The Antiques Road Trip, as well as being a winning competitor on Celebrity Mastermind.

He is an energetic fund raiser for local charities, in particular for St Richard's Hospice in Worcester of which he is a Patron. He is also a Trustee of the Museum of Royal Worcester.