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UPDATE 06/04/23 - David Dickinson's representatives have since confirmed he has 'no plans to retire from Dickinson’s Real Deal, a show he still very much enjoys making'.
David Dickinson is reportedly set to leave his ITV show Dickinson’s Real Deal after 16 years.
The TV personality and antiques dealer, who has previously appeared on BBC’s Bargain Hunt, will film the upcoming series of the show but will then bow out after an impressive 15 seasons, the Daily Mail reports.
Dickinson, 81, is said to be leaving so he can spend more time with his family, including wife Lorne Lesley.
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An unnamed ITV source told the Daily Mail: “It's an open secret on Dickinson's Real Deal that David will be leaving the show after filming the upcoming series.
“He's absolutely adored fronting the show, it's been a huge success for the channel and viewers still love it 16 years after it launched.
“David's had such an incredible career in showbiz so far and has no intention of quitting TV for good and is still open to exploring further opportunities.”
In a statement to the publication, an ITV spokesperson said: “The current series of Dickinson's Real Deal is in production and filming throughout spring and summer. No decisions have been made on future series beyond that.”
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Dickinson has worked in the antique business for more than 30 years, and managed to carve out a pretty successful TV career alongside it.
First gracing our screens, with his trademark tan, all the way back in 1998 with The Antiques Show before fronting Bargain Hunt from 2000 to 2004.
Away from antiques, Dickinson has also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2004 and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2005.
The news comes after Dickinson's Real Deal expert Cheryl Hakeney announced she would be quitting the show as she’s struggling to fit filming in around the fashion business she owns with her Love Island alumnus daughter Zara Holland.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, she said: "I did the show for 14 years. I was one of the originals but now mine and Zara's business is booming, unfortunately I don't have enough time to film the next series."
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Opening up about how the show works, she added: "Lots of people tend to think it's not our real money or we don't really buy the items but oh boy yes we do.
"It is a real deal and that's where the fascination is. We are real dealers, and it is our real money.
"I'll be truthful, sometimes I've purchased something that I've had to sell at a considerable loss.”
Featured Image Credit: ITVTopics: TV and Film, Celebrity