1. Early Life & Background
Irita Marriott was born in Latvia, where she grew up in modest circumstances. In her childhood, she and her family lived on a farm, often relying on what they could forage, grow, or catch. These early years were tough but formative, instilling in her resilience, resourcefulness, and a strong work ethic. Her family later moved to Valmiera, and life continued with its challenges.
While she once had hopes of becoming a professional athlete, health setbacks altered that path. Her school years also included struggles; for example, an English teacher once told her she would not amount to much—a statement that became a personal motivator for her.
In her early adulthood, Irita moved abroad, including a stint as an au pair in the United States, which was a cultural shock but also an opportunity for growth. After returning to Europe, she eventually settled in the UK, working odd jobs and learning to adapt and survive in a foreign environment.
2. Journey to the UK & Early Years
When she arrived in the UK (in her early twenties), Irita initially took a job at a garden centre. Over time, she proved her capability, eventually managing multiple departments. Though she appreciated the job, she felt compelled to find something more aligned with her interests and ambitions.
She strove to integrate into her new environment, learning local culture, terms, and language use. Even small moments—such as not knowing what “tinsel” meant when asked—became teaching moments. Her willingness to humble herself and learn from every experience speaks to her character.
Eventually, she took jobs in retail and wholesale management, but changes (redundancies, new responsibilities) pushed her toward different directions. A pivotal moment occurred when her mother-in-law presented her with a lot of auction items, hoping she would find a way to turn them into income. Needing to repay a debt, Irita dug into research, attended fairs, and slowly found herself drawn into antiques.
3. Discovering Antiques & Building Expertise
Without formal training, Irita dove into the world of antiques through hands-on work. She began as a part-time cataloguer in an auction house, learning to value objects, understand provenance, and spot authenticity. Over time, she worked her way deeper into valuation, dealer work, sourcing, and trading.
She spent years traveling across Europe and the UK to visit antique fairs, network, and refine her eye. Her ability to tell stories about objects—their history, their craftsmanship—became a strength. As she gained reputation, she increasingly became an independent dealer and valuator.
Her work in Derbyshire (in the UK) auction houses was particularly formative. Her cataloguing, valuation, and dealing in a region rich with collectors and antiques helped her develop both technical skill and local reputation.
4. Breakthrough in Television
While she was already active in the antiques world, Irita sought to broaden her platform. She reached out to producers of TV shows (notably Antiques Road Trip) and after auditions and screen tests, she was accepted to join as an expert. This transition from behind-the-scenes valuator to television expert was pivotal.
On Antiques Road Trip and related shows, she gained wider public visibility. Her affable personality, passion for objects, and ability to translate technical antique knowledge into engaging storytelling resonated with audiences. She later appeared on shows like Bargain Hunt and The Greatest Auction. Eventually, she fronted her own programme, documenting her work in her own auction house and interactions with clients and items.
Television not only enhanced her brand, but also gave her a platform to inspire new audiences, especially women and younger people interested in antiques.
5. Founding Her Own Auction House
In mid-2023, Irita launched her own auction house in Derbyshire, in the town of Melbourne. The venture included valuation services, in-person auctions, and online sales. Her decision to start an auction house was motivated by a desire to build something lasting—so that her work could outlive her, and so she could pass a business to her sons.
The auction house integrates her television presence with her dealing/valuation work. The show about her auction house helps cross-promote the business, and the business supports her credibility on TV. This synergy is part of what sets her apart: she is not just a TV face, but an active practitioner.
Running an auction house in a competitive industry is a bold move. It requires administrative, legal, operational, and client-management skills in addition to her antiques expertise. But her years of working in auction houses, dealing, and media presence gave her a strong base to build from.
6. Personal Life & Character
Irita is married and has two sons. She tends to keep her private life out of the limelight but often references how her family supports her career. Her children, as mentioned in interviews, sometimes accompany her to fairs, which helps instill in them an appreciation of history, objects, and value.
Her personality is often described as warm, determined, humble, and authentic. She brings sincerity to her presentations—she is not just about monetary value, but also about the story, aesthetics, and meaning behind items. Her background—growing up with few resources, navigating new countries, learning from scratch—has shaped her resilience and empathy.
She has spoken about feeling imposter syndrome at times, yet perseveres. Her husband, while not directly in the antiques trade, plays a supportive role. She also maintains boundaries between her public and private life, protecting family privacy even as she becomes more visible.
7. Challenges, Milestones & Highlights
Challenges
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Breaking into an established, sometimes male-dominated industry without formal pedigree
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Starting over in a foreign country with limited resources
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Balancing roles: TV, auction business, family
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The operational complexity and risk of owning and running an auction house
Milestones & Highlights
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Being accepted as an expert on Antiques Road Trip
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Subsequent TV appearances on Bargain Hunt and The Greatest Auction
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The founding of her own auction house in Derbyshire
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Docuseries about her auction house, showing real clients, items, and market dynamics
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Noteworthy finds: occasional combinations of ordinary objects turning out to be valuable (e.g. a simple spoon or painting) — these stories help build public intrigue and establish her reputation
8. Future Direction & Legacy
Irita’s trajectory suggests several possible directions:
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Growing her auction house into a regional or national player, expanding online, and increasing bidding reach
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Producing more TV content (series, specials) around antiques, collections, valuation
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Encouraging and mentoring younger entrants and women in the antique trade
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Enhancing public awareness of heritage objects, ethical collecting, and storytelling in antiques
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Building a legacy: a business that her family or protégés can continue
Her influence is already changing perceptions: she is a visible female leader in a sector often seen as traditional and male-dominated, and her story encourages those from non-traditional backgrounds to enter the field.
9. Lessons from Her Story
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Resilience & Adaptability Matter: Changing countries, jobs, and industries requires grit.
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Learning by Doing Works: Despite lack of formal training, hands-on work, research, and perseverance built competence.
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Be Proactive: She pursued TV opportunities rather than waiting for them to come to her.
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融合 (Synergy): Her business and media work support each other — the auction house gives legitimacy to her media persona, and the media gives exposure to the business.
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Value the Story: For antiques, the narrative behind an object often carries as much weight as the object itself. Her ability to weave stories makes her presentation compelling.
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Balance & Boundaries: Despite public life, she maintains privacy and protects family; success doesn’t mean full exposure.
