David Dickinson has revealed he wasn’t ‘affected’ at all after learning at 12-years-old that he had been adopted.
The presenter, 81, was taken in by his adoptive parents Jim and Joyce, who lived in a working class part of Stockport, but didn’t realise they weren’t biological family until he was almost a teenager.
Having been lodged at Barnado’s Orphanage for Waifs and Strays as a baby, David said he wasn’t surprised when he found documentation proving his history.
During a Thursday appearance on Loose Women, he explained, ‘I found these adoption papers and the family all came around and said, “David you’re special and we wanted you.”
‘I have to tell you it didn’t really affect me, I had a loving family, I was so happy, and it continued after this.
Good for him! David Dickinson has revealed he wasn’t ‘affected’ at all after learning at 12-years-old that he had been adopted
‘I’ve got a half-brother Ken, who lives in Jersey, and all this came out, very lovely.’
It comes after The Daily Mail revealed ITV star Dan Hatfield has been lined up to replace David on Dickinson’s Real Deal.
Dan, 39, is known to viewers for being a money saving expert on This Morning and also starred in Million Pound Pawn, a series on pawnbrokers.
Sources said he is now set to front the modern antiques and collectables show when David steps down from the position.
Third generation pawnbroker Dan has been in the industry for nearly two decades and previously claimed that pawnbroking is ‘in his blood.’
He followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather after being asked to take care of the family business for ‘only two weeks’ to help out in a staffing crisis.
Despite having an offer from a firm in Australia to work for their marketing department he turned down the role after realising he loved the pawnbroking business.
He told The Yorkshire Post; ‘In the end, I literally ripped up my visa because you know, I didn’t choose pawnbroking; pawnbroking chose me.
Childhood: The presenter, 81, was taken in by his adoptive parents Jim and Joyce, who lived in Stockport, but didn’t realise they weren’t biological family until he was almost a teenager
Really? Having been lodged at Barnado’s Orphanage for Waifs and Strays as a baby, David said he wasn’t surprised when he found documentation proving his history
Heartwarming: During Thursday’s Loose Women, he explained, ‘I found these adoption papers and the family all came around and said, “David you’re special and we wanted you”‘
‘It was always in my blood. I never regretted my decision, ever.’
He still works with the family business and has helped thousands of clients, including international royals like the King of Saudi Arabi, sell on their items.
MailOnline contacted Dan’s representatives for comment at the time.
It comes after MailOnline exclusively revealed that David is quitting Dickinson’s Real Deal after 16 years.
The TV veteran will be filming the upcoming series this year but has made the decision to step down from his presenting duties following 15 seasons.
MailOnline learned that antiques dealer David, who fronted BBC One’s Bargain Hunt until 2004 and has also appeared in Strictly Come Dancing and I’m A Celeb, is looking to spend more time at home with his wife Lorne Lesley now they’re both in their 80s.
A TV source revealed that while David is leaving the long running programme, which first aired in 2006, ITV are yet to make a decision about the future of the series and whether the show will rebrand in David’s absence.
A show insider said: ‘It’s an open secret on Dickinson’s Real Deal that David will be leaving the show after filming the upcoming series.
Replacement: It comes after The Daily Mail revealed ITV star Dan Hatfield has been lined up to replace David on Dickinson’s Real Deal (pictured in November 2022)
Stepping down: It comes after MailOnline exclusively revealed that David is quitting ITV show Dickinson’s Real Deal after 16 years
‘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.’
An ITV spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘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.’
The TV star has been dealing in antiques for over 30 years, previously crediting his permanent tan and flamboyant character for earning him legions of fans.
He made his name on Bargain Hunt where he became known for the catchphrases ‘real bobby-dazzler’ and ‘cheap as chips’, later moving from the BBC to ITV, fronting Dickinson’s Real Deal from 2006.
The presenter starred on the first ever series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, competing alongside former professional dancer Camilla Dallerup and a year later took part in ITV series I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
His love of performing and showmanship was inspired by his wife Lorne, who’s a former cabaret star, with the pair first meeting in a nightclub during the 60s.
The couple, who have been married since 1968, share two children together, and also have grandchildren, one of which became the youngest ever contestant to successfully secure investment on business show Dragons’ Den.
David opened up about the highs and lows of his life in autobiography The Duke, where he talked about learning at the age of 12, he was adopted as a baby by Joyce and Jim Dickinson.
He discovered more about his heritage filming BBC documentary Who Do You Think You Are?, including that his Armenian grandfather was a former silk trader and worked on the same streets where he also learned the business.
Cheryl Hakeney, a dealer on Dickinson’s Real Deal for 14 years, told MailOnline this week she remembers David selling at London Olympia, saying his stand resembled his outgoing personality.
She said: ‘I’ve known him for many years, I knew him before I was on the show because he’s a friend of my dad’s, which isn’t how I got the job, he was a fantastic antique dealer back in the day and he always dealt in really wonderful and unusual antiques, very interior design led.
‘He’s from Manchester but also used to exhibit at Olympia London every year and David’s stand was like him, over the top, and the most fantastic and unusual things. He’s great and you can’t believe he’s 81 and still working, he’s a true showman.’
