February 19th 2025.
David Dickinson is known for his charismatic personality and his role as the host of the popular show, Dickinson's Real Deal. It's hard to imagine the show without him, as his spirit and energy truly make it what it is. However, in recent years there have been rumors of a potential replacement for David. To put these rumors to rest, David came up with a plan to stop the speculations after being certain that someone had planted the story.
"It would have been fed by somebody for some particular reason. Why? I don't know," David theorized while speaking to Metro through an iD Mobile campaign. "Perhaps the agent of a replacement person would have an interest to do that."
David's Real Deal began in 2006 and he has no plans of leaving it anytime soon. Not one to sit back and let things happen, he took the matter into his own hands and told his agent, "Well, this is b******t, I need to go on Loose Women or on This Morning, and I need to say I am not retiring." And that's exactly what he did in 2023, when he sat down on the ITV lunchtime show and declared, "Fake news, as Donald Trump would say!"
David also revealed that there will likely be 20-30 new episodes of the show this year. For those unfamiliar with the show, it follows the format of the public bringing their antiques to dealers, who then make cash offers for the items. David's role is to gently guide the proceedings to ensure that everyone gets a price they can be happy with.
Apart from Dickinson's Real Deal, David has his sights set on something completely new - a travel show. "Perhaps I could get a hint to someone that I'd like to do a travel show with somebody interesting," he mused. When asked who his ideal travel buddy would be, he confidently declared, "Shirley Ballas!" The Strictly Come Dancing judge is a glamorous Northern girl with a fun personality, making her an ideal choice for David's dream travel show.
In recent times, we've seen a variety of random celebrity combinations on TV, from Katherine Ryan and Joe Wilkinson testing bargain holidays to Mel Giedroyc and Martin Clunes exploring Britain. So it's possible that commissioners might be open to David's pitch for a travel show with Shirley Ballas.
David has also expressed interest in joining the cast of The Traitors, a popular TV show. When asked whether he would prefer to play a faithful or traitor character, he refused to divulge his preference, stating, "I actually want to win it." This only goes to show his competitive spirit and determination to succeed in whatever he sets his mind to.
Despite his success and longevity in the industry, David remains humble and acknowledges that nobody is irreplaceable in the world of TV. "Never get the idea you can't be replaced because you can," he warned, agreeing with Beyoncé. However, he is pretty close to being irreplaceable himself. Who else could exclaim "cheap as chips" and "real Bobby Dazzler" with such genuine enthusiasm? His trademark look of a deep tan and luscious locks also make him stand out from the crowd.
"I've got all my own hair. A lot of men of my age lose their hair early. I seem to have been very fortunate," he proudly shared. "My grandfather was Armenian, and I've just been lucky that I've got the right genes. I just keep plodding along. I look okay for my age."
When asked about the secret to his long and successful career, David credits it to a valuable piece of advice he received early on. "When I started 28 years ago, I was very lucky to work with a young producer who said, 'Listen, David, when that camera turns on and looks at you, it can spot a fake every day of the week. Be yourself, don't try to be something you're not'," he recalled. "And believe you me, that camera will catch you out. The camera isn't a living thing, but it sees all."
David also believes that being a likable person plays a crucial role in staying relevant in the industry. He credits his happy upbringing for shaping his positive and kind personality. "A lot of adopted children have difficult times, but I had a wonderful childhood. I was loved by many, and so I grew up very positive and happy. I learned early on that it doesn't cost anything to be nice," he shared.
David has also passed on this valuable lesson to his children, Robert and Katrina, whom he adopted from his wife Lorne's previous marriage. He is also a proud grandfather of four, including Myles, who briefly joined him in the TV world by securing investment on Dragons' Den for his business.
David has partnered with iD Mobile to highlight the incredible quality and value of refurbished mobile phones, which can save savvy shoppers hundreds of pounds on popular devices. These pre-loved phones are fully tested and come with a warranty for performance and reliability. With iD Mobile, you can save an average of £250 a year, making it easier than ever to stay connected without breaking the bank. Despite his success in the world of TV and business, David believes in finding one's own way in life and not relying on handouts.
"You've got to find your own way. I've always gone by the rule there are no free lunches in life," he shared. "Also, to be honest with you, when he [Myles] told me about his business, I was a little bit skeptical. I didn't think he'd be allowed to change the look of a credit card, but apparently you can do that," he joked. "But now he's doing well, and hopefully, fingers crossed, he'll do well in the future, but not as well as me. I am trying to give him advice now and he keeps saying, 'Gramps, leave it to me. I know what I'm doing'." With a smile, David admits that there are definitely worse people to take advice from than him.
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