Bargain Hunt
- Bargain Hunt is off air
- Remind me
David Dickinson Interview
Arguably the best dressed man on TV, David 'The Duke' Dickinson's sartorial elegance is matched by his immaculate manners and irrepressible charm. From his distinctive head of hair to his designer shoes, he's the original bobby dazzler, a sure fire cracking lot. Find out more about the legend in our exclusive interview...
How did you make your break into TV?
I met an independent TV producer at a BBQ at my daughter's house. He said I reminded him of the real life Lovejoy, and was interested in me for a project he was working on. The rest is history.
You've been dealing in antiques now for a quarter of a century. How do you manage to juggle this with your TV commitments?
At the moment I've been doing very little with my antiques business. The TV commitments have taken over my life. I do, however, appear once a year at the Olympia Antiques Fair, but even that may look doubtful for next year.
Have you ever had any truly hopeless Bargain Hunters on the show?!
The answer to that is many. Many, many!
What are your top tips for successful bargain hunting?
My top tip is quality, originality and as tough a bargain as you can make, within your budget.
Do you get fed up being teased about your tan?
No. It has been these kind of things - the hair, the tan - that has given me huge publicity and long may it reign. Pretty soon I shall be making a trip to far-flung shores to top the tan up!
What plans have you got for 2003?
At the moment, there are 40 prime time Bargain Hunts to shoot, but I am being approached by many other production companies with regards to all manner of other shows, which I am currently considering.
Is it true you're a fan of fast cars?
The answer is yes. There's still a certain amount of the boy racer in me. But it isn't just the speed of the cars. It's the elegance of the sexy lines that appeals to me. Especially the Italian cars.
Describe the bargain of which you're most proud.
There have been so many, but I recently bought a set of chairs catalogued in the price collection in Sothebys 18 months ago at £20,000 - £30,000. They didn't sell on the first sale. They were re-entered on the lower estimate of £12,000 -£18,000. They still didn't sell so were transferred from the Bond Street Sothebys sales room, to Sothebys Olympia, where I snapped them up for £4,000.00 plus commission.
When you're not bargain-hunting what do you do?
Enjoying a relaxing time at home with a nice meal and a good bottle of wine.
Your flamboyant style is making you a real hit with the ladies! How are you coping with all the attention?!
I am coping very nicely thank you very much, and thoroughly enjoying myself!
For more information about The Duke and antiques advice see David Dickinson - Our Step-by-Step Valuation and How to Spot a Fake Antique.
I met an independent TV producer at a BBQ at my daughter's house. He said I reminded him of the real life Lovejoy, and was interested in me for a project he was working on. The rest is history.
You've been dealing in antiques now for a quarter of a century. How do you manage to juggle this with your TV commitments?
At the moment I've been doing very little with my antiques business. The TV commitments have taken over my life. I do, however, appear once a year at the Olympia Antiques Fair, but even that may look doubtful for next year.
Have you ever had any truly hopeless Bargain Hunters on the show?!
The answer to that is many. Many, many!
What are your top tips for successful bargain hunting?
My top tip is quality, originality and as tough a bargain as you can make, within your budget.
Do you get fed up being teased about your tan?
No. It has been these kind of things - the hair, the tan - that has given me huge publicity and long may it reign. Pretty soon I shall be making a trip to far-flung shores to top the tan up!
What plans have you got for 2003?
At the moment, there are 40 prime time Bargain Hunts to shoot, but I am being approached by many other production companies with regards to all manner of other shows, which I am currently considering.
Is it true you're a fan of fast cars?
The answer is yes. There's still a certain amount of the boy racer in me. But it isn't just the speed of the cars. It's the elegance of the sexy lines that appeals to me. Especially the Italian cars.
Describe the bargain of which you're most proud.
There have been so many, but I recently bought a set of chairs catalogued in the price collection in Sothebys 18 months ago at £20,000 - £30,000. They didn't sell on the first sale. They were re-entered on the lower estimate of £12,000 -£18,000. They still didn't sell so were transferred from the Bond Street Sothebys sales room, to Sothebys Olympia, where I snapped them up for £4,000.00 plus commission.
When you're not bargain-hunting what do you do?
Enjoying a relaxing time at home with a nice meal and a good bottle of wine.
Your flamboyant style is making you a real hit with the ladies! How are you coping with all the attention?!
I am coping very nicely thank you very much, and thoroughly enjoying myself!
For more information about The Duke and antiques advice see David Dickinson - Our Step-by-Step Valuation and How to Spot a Fake Antique.
