Dickinson’s Real Deal expert Cheryl Hakeney has revealed she’s quitting the show after 14 years.
The antiques dealer is mum to Love Island star Zara Holland, who appeared on the reality dating programme in 2016 and had her Miss Great Britain Crown taken away from her in the process.
Cheryl and Zara own fashion business Mimi Boutique together, which has doubled in size since the pandemic.
She said: ‘I did the show for 14 years. I was one of the originals but now mine and Zara’s business is booming, unfortunately I don’t have enough time to film the next series.’
Cheryl, who began her career as a model before following in her family’s footsteps as an antiques expert, was scouted to become a regular on Dickinson’s Real Deal after attending auctions in her early 20s.
She continued to Mail Online: ‘Lots of people tend to think it’s not our real money or we don’t really buy the items but oh boy yes we do.’
Comparing the programme to the likes of The X Factor, she continued: ‘It has become more like The X Factor or Bake Off because the camera now goes to the person and they say, “I really hope Cheryl gives me £100 today” and the camera goes to me privately and I say, “I don’t really want to buy this, it isn’t my thing, I’m only going to give £25” so it became a lot more exciting.
‘Afterwards the seller is then allowed to reflect on the experience, it’s more fun and fascinating.
‘Whereas on the Antiques Roadshow nobody is actually buying, and no cash is being exchanged. Nobody is going to auction so they just give their opinion of maybe what it’s worth, we give a real deal there and then and people can see what happens when they do go to auction.’
Talking about Bargain Hunt presenter David, Cheryl added: ‘David is a massive character. He’s very, very charming and has a fantastic sense of humour. We had so many funny moments on the show.
‘He’s a proper, proper showman, even his appearance, he turns heads. He’s fantastic to work with.
‘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.’
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