TV antiques show is coming to town

Dickinson’s Real Deal, ITV1’s antiques show fronted by the charismatic David Dickinson, will be filming at the DW Stadium on Saturday May 21.

An episode of the hit show was previously broadcast from Leigh Sports Village and there were long queues as folk brought treasured items from home for the Dealer Day there.

And there is nothing to say there won’t be similar enthusiasm and numbers this time round when perma-tanned David, his team of experts and his bobby-dazzling collection of catchphrases returns to the area.

Visitors bringing treasures from home are given the option of taking money on the spot from one of the dealers, or if they think the item is worth more than being offered, they turn the dealer down and choose to sell at auction instead.

When the show was last in the area Winifred walked away with £420 for her J Lawrence Isherwood painting, Vicky’s gamble paid off when she rejected a dealer offer and her Vienna porcelain urn reached £600 at auction and Andrew’s owl ink well left the dealers’ table with an amazing £360.

Mr Dickinson said: “I’m very much looking forward to visiting Wigan, an area of the country I love bringing the show to.

“I remember visiting the area several years ago; the items brought in were fantastic - great quality - with fabulous history and stories attached.

“You could be quids in like many people who have previously attended.”

Members of the public should bring their antiques and collectables along. The show’s team of independent valuers will be offering free advice on all items brought along on the day. Admission is free and visitors do not need to book a place or a ticket.

Doors at the DW will be open between 9am and 5pm.

Contact the Dickinson’s Real Deal team with any queries regarding the event or the programme, on the DRD hotline: 0117 970 7618.

A broadcast date for the Wigan episode will be announced at a later date.

Dickinson’s Real Deal has been a regular fixture on ITV’s afternoon television scheule for almost a decade now with more than 700 episodes’ now having been screened.

Cheshire-born Dickinson, 74, is of Armenian descent and rose to fame as the presenter of the BBC’s Bargain Hunt show before moving across to ITV to front Real Deal.