BBC star Charles Hanson who ‘threw house phone at wife in row’ tells court he ‘tossed it gently like an orange’

BBC star Charles Hanson today told jurors he "gently tossed" a phone at his wife "like an orange" after he was accused of hurling it during a row. The Bargain Hunt expert, 45, is accused of assaulting his wife Rebecca every six months over a ten-year abuse campaign.

This included allegedly putting Rebecca in a headlock in 2012 while she was pregnant with a child she tragically later lost. Hanson also threw a phone at Rebecca's leg after he became "nasty" during Covid lockdown, Derby Crown Court heard. She had messaged her mum at the time, saying: "He’s just thrown the phone at me and it’s hit me on the leg. He’s yelling he will divorce me, don’t call.".

Giving evidence today, Hanson claimed he was using two phones in the "coach house" of their Derbyshire property when Rebecca came in. He said: "Rebecca was shouting 'where's the phone, where's the landline phone bring it in, it doesn't belong here'. "I walked through the house and said 'love, here's the phone and very gently, like tossing an apple or orange, said 'catch'.

"My wife put her hands out like a cup to catch it and it went through her hands and it fell to the floor. It didn't smash.". Hanson also told jurors about the alleged "headlock incident" after he was accused of lunging at his wife when she threw a "tiny" box on the floor.

The TV auctioneer claimed Rebecca had been struggling with sickness at the time due to her pregnancy. He said she threw a cup, so he put his arm around her and told her: "Come on love, we can get through this.". When asked by his barrister Sasha Wass KC how much force he used, Hanson continued: "It was just a hug.".

The court heard that he told police after his arrest he was being "warm and lovely" and accused his wife of being a "fantasist". In her own evidence, Rebecca previously said the alleged attack unfolded in their kitchen when Hanson "just went for me" and "got me around the throat".

She added: "I was frozen, paralysed with fear. "He was shocked at what he had done, there was no explanation, I could not believe what he had done.". Rebecca also told the jury there were around 14 or 15" different incidents involving arguments or violence during their marriage.

She claimed there was another occasion in May 2021 when her husband "threatened to put burning embers from the fire" on her. The court heard previously how Hanson, who also appears on Flog It! and Antiques Road Trip, married wife Rebecca in 2010 - two years after they first met.

Stephen Kemp, prosecuting, said the marriage "started off happily" but the auctioneer began "using violence against his wife". This pattern of violence continued every six months over the "next ten years or so", it was said. Hanson is charged with two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm and one of controlling and coercive behaviour.

The TV star, who denies the charges, is also accused of two counts of assault by beating. Hanson's career started in the ceramics and glass department at Christie’s in 1999. He appeared on Bargain Hunt in 2002 and became the youngest expert on the team aged 25.