David Dickinson is reportedly quitting ITV’s Dickinson’s Real Deal after 16 years.
The veteran TV presenter, 81, is said to be walking away from his iconic antiques show in order to spend more time with his wife Lorne Lesley as they’re both in their 80s.
The beloved antiques dealer is still filming the upcoming series of Real Deal this year, but he has decided to step down from hosting the programme after 15 seasons.
READ MORE: David Dickinson’s life off-screen – jail sentence, iconic tan and Wayne Rooney link
A show insider told MailOnline: “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.”
The source insisted that David has “no intention” of quitting TV for good and is still open to exploring other opportunities.
A TV insider also alleged that ITV are yet to make a decision about the future of the daytime series and whether or not it will carry on without David.
(Image: WireImage)
An ITV spokesperson told Daily Star: “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.”
Dickinson has been hosting Dickinson’s Real Deal since 2006, but before that he hosted BBC’s rival antiques show Bargain Hunt from 2000 until 2004, when he was succeeded by Tim Wonnacott.
The bargain buff has been working in antiques for over 30 years and has credited his trademark tan and bubbly personality for winning him lots of fans.
(Image: Press Association)
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Dickinson appeared on the first ever series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, where he danced with show pro Camilla Dallerup.
The following year, he went into the Aussie jungle as a campmate on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! which was won by Margaret Thatcher’s daughter Carol Thatcher.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
