If you think antiques, it’s highly likely that your mind will go to David Dickinson. The legendary presenter has been a feature of our TV screens since 1995, fronting the likes of The Antiques Show, Bargain Hunt and Dickinson’s Real Deal.
David began his TV career working for the BBC and starred in a two-part documentary about his preparations for an antiques show at London Olympia. From this, David went on to be the resident antiques dealer for daytime shows such as This Morning.
The star’s catchphrases have become as equally iconic as the presenter, including the likes of a ‘real Bobby Dazzler’, for things of great value, a ‘bit of a duffer’ for the exact opposite.
Fans of reality television have also seen the star compete on the likes of I’m a Celebrity and Strictly Come Dancing, performing on the latter show’s debut season, even though he ended up being the second person voted off of the show.
However, the star isn’t the only famous face in his family as the star’s wife is a highly talented cabaret singer, while one of his grandchildren has made an appearance on Dragons’ Den. Scroll down for all you need to know about David’s incredible family life.
David wife Lorne Lesley
David met his wife Lorne in the early 1960’s in Manchester. The pair locked eyes in a nightclub, where Lorne was working as a cabaret singer, and tied the knot in 1968. They have been together ever since.
The star is very complimentary towards his talented wife and he enthuses on his website: “Lorne is half African and half Welsh and hails from Tiger Bay, just like Shirley Bassey. Lorne is very glamorous, a lovely striking lady, and she has more talent in her little finger than I have in my whole body.”
© Getty ImagesThe couple rarely give interviews together, but they did share an insight into their home life during a 2017 interview with The Mirror. Of their holidays – and David’s famous tan – Lorne said: “He’s an absolute sun worshipper. I wheel him out in the morning, and he just lies here like this…“
David said of their domestic life: “Lorne lets me think I’m the master of my own home… Any girls who know what they’re doing lets their man think they’re in charge, but we know we’re not really.”
David Dickinson and Lorne Lesley’s children
After David and Lorne got married, David decided to adopt her two children from a previous marriage, Robert and Katrina. David and Lorne are now also proud grandparents to four grandchildren, Aim’ee, Lauren, Myles, and Finley.
© BBCBack in 2014, Finley appeared alongside David on the ITV gameshow Big Star’s Little Star. The popular show saw celebrities and their children or grandchildren compete in an attempt to win up to £15,000 for a chosen charity.
However, Finley isn’t the only one of David’s grandchildren who has made a TV appearance, as Myles appeared on Dragons’ Den back in 2023, pitching Haze Cards, a custom credit card company. Several of the dragons were interested in the company, and he eventually struck a deal with Steven Bartlett. Myles made history at the time as the youngest contestant to have secured an investment on the show.