Bargain Hunt star Ochuko Ojiri has arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court after he was charged with a terror offence. The 53-year-old art dealer was charged with eight counts of failing to make a disclosure during the course of business within the regulated sector following an investigation by the Metropolitan police. The charges relate to a period between October 2020 to December 2021. He is the first person to be charged under section 21A of the Terrorism Act 2000. In a statement, the Met Police said: "Following authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service, he has been charged with eight counts of failing to make a disclosure during the course of business within the regulated sector, contrary to section 21A of the Terrorism Act 2000."

They added, "The investigation has been carried out in partnership with the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) in HM Treasury, HMRC (the organisation that regulates the art sector), and the Met’s Arts & Antiques Unit."

The BBC star looked sombre as he arrived wearing a grey single breasted suit with a navy shirt and tie.

He held hands with a woman as he walked towards the building in full glare of the cameras outside.

It is a far cry from his smiling TV persona which, alongside Bargain Hunt, has also seen him star on Antiques Road Trip.

Alongside his TV work he founded the Ramp Gallery in London, which specialises in emerging and contemporary artists.

He previously told the BBC, "Contemporary art, paintings, prints, sculpture, and drawings. I’m absolutely obsessed, in love, and infatuated."

The dad of one also opened Pelicans & Parrots with Juliet Da Silva on Stoke Newington Road in Dalston, London, which sells contemporary furniture, houseware and gifts. However, the shop ceased trading in October 2021.

Asked why he chose a career in antiques, he said: "No other industry would accept my rare mixture of sarcasm, cynicism and passion. Ha-ha!"

Ochuko Ojiri also once joked he has "absolutely no idea" how he got chosen to work for Bargain Hunt, but it is widely believed he was approached to become an expert on the BBC daytime series.