Early Life & Journey from Latvia to the UK
Irita Marriott Wikipedia: Irita Marriott was born in Latvia in 1984, growing up in modest rural circumstances. Her childhood included living on a self-sufficient farm until she was about six, after which her family relocated to Valmiera. She has described early years marked by scarcity: foraging, fishing, relying on whatever food the land or surroundings could yield.
At school, she recalls being told by an English teacher that she would “be a no one” without mastering English — a comment that would both sting and motivate her. In her late teens, she took a bold leap and moved to the United States as an au pair, despite barely knowing English (she carried a dictionary). Within three months she says she was fluent. After two years in the U.S., she visited Latvia and then, via a bus, made her way to the UK as a 20-year-old.
In the UK, her first job was as a temporary Christmas worker in a garden centre, where she gradually rose to manage departments and serve as a buyer. Over time, she transitioned into antiques and valuation roles, building expertise from ground up.
Antiques Career & Business Ventures
Marriott’s leap into the antiques world was not predestined — it was born of determination and opportunity.
She began as a cataloguer / salesroom assistant in a Derbyshire auction house, spending about seven years immersing herself in valuing, handling, and learning antiques. While doing this, she also traded on side at car boot sales, small fairs, and gradually expanded into international fairs.
In 2023, she launched Irita Marriott Auctioneers & Valuers Ltd, making her one of the relatively rare female-led auction houses in the UK. Her specialization is decorative antiques, often sourced via trips to continental Europe, and she maintains a global client portfolio.
She describes herself as a “new generation dealer,” bridging the traditional auction model with modern outreach.  Her firm offers valuation services and auctions, linking private clients to a broader antiques market.
Television & Media Presence
Irita Marriott has become a familiar face on British antiques TV, bringing her expertise and personality to screens across the UK.
She first joined the BBC Antiques Road Trip lineup in 2021, alongside established experts like Philip Serrell and David Harper. She also appears on Celebrity Antiques Road Trip and Bargain Hunt, while making appearances on Channel 4’s The Greatest Auction.
More recently, she fronts her own show called The Derbyshire Auction House (on Really TV), where she visits people’s homes, evaluates items, and brings them into her auction house to be sold. On this show, she helps families discover hidden value in household objects and educates about auction practices.
Her TV approach leans on warmth, accessibility, and narrative storytelling, helping viewers connect to the histories behind objects — not just their price tags.
Personal Life: Family & Values
While Marriott’s public persona is prominent, she maintains a degree of privacy about her personal life.
She lives in Bristol (or in the UK more broadly) with her husband and two sons. Though she confirms she is married, she typically does not share details of her husband’s identity or occupation.
Her sons sometimes accompany her at antique fairs; she has mentioned that they are developing interest in antiques themselves. Her family is part of what motivates her — balancing motherhood and a career across TV, auctions, and travel.
Marriott also speaks about encountering gender bias in the antiques world, noting that early in her career she was sometimes discounted or questioned as a young female dealer. Nonetheless, she has pushed forward by combining diligence, expertise, and authenticity.
Recognition, Challenges & Distinctive Traits
Recognition & Influence
Marriott is now among the more popular antiques experts on TV, known for her flaming red hair, humour, and eye for bargains. Her crossover from auctioneer to television presenter has led to her being listed in speaker rosters and talent agencies.
Her expansion into owning an auction house adds to her reputation — she is part of a small subset of women in the UK leading valuation firms.
Challenges & Criticisms
- Late entry & steep learning curve: She began without formal antique training and had to learn by doing.
- Gender and age stereotypes: As she has noted, being a young woman in a field dominated by older male dealers initially drew skepticism.
- Balancing public and private spheres: With television exposure comes media scrutiny; she must manage publicity alongside protecting family privacy.
- Scaling a business in a niche market: Running an auction house involves logistical, operational, and financial challenges (staff, inventory, compliance).
Despite these, her blend of TV visibility, business ownership, and authenticity gives her a strong brand in the antiques sphere.
Future Directions & Legacy
Expanding Auction House & Business Reach
Marriott plans to grow her auction house operations, increasing online presence, and improving valuation and client outreach globally. She aims to give back and help new entrants into antiques, particularly young women, by sharing her path and mentoring.
Continued Television & New Formats
She has expressed enthusiasm for doing more television, while continuing work on Antiques Road Trip and Bargain Hunt. Â Her own show, The Derbyshire Auction House, offers a platform for deeper connection with audiences and may evolve in future seasons.
As her media presence grows, she may move into documentary work, specialist series about antiques, or collaboration with museums and institutions.
Legacy & Influence
Irita Marriott exemplifies reinvention, perseverance, and breaking norms. Her journey from rural Latvia to a TV antiques expert and auction house owner offers an inspiring narrative for those wanting to shift career or overcome early resistance.
Her legacy may lie in making antiques more accessible to wider audiences — demystifying valuation, telling stories behind objects, and bringing authenticity to the trade.
As she builds generational continuity in her business, her sons might carry forward her vision. Meanwhile, her media presence cements her influence in shaping how people perceive antiques — not as dusty relics, but as living portals to history, value, and beauty.
