EXCLUSIVE: Dickinson’s Real Deal expert Cheryl Hakeney quits show to work with her famous Love Island star daughter
Dickinson’s Real Deal expert Cheryl Hakeney is leaving the ITV show after 14 years — to work with her famous daughter.
The antiques dealer told MailOnline that her fashion business Mimi Boutique, which she co-owns alongside daughter Zara Holland, who rose to fame on Love Island in 2016, has doubled in size since the pandemic and she needs to commit more hours to the job.
Cheryl, who was a daytime TV fixture for years before ex-Miss Great Britain Zara starred on the dating series, explained that as the title suggests, Real Deals are made despite many viewers incorrectly assuming that money isn’t exchanged.
In an exclusive interview, Cheryl revealed how the ITV show, which is fronted by David Dickinson and airs weekdays on the channel, has changed over the years, insisting that Real Deal offers more suspense and drama than rival the Antiques Roadshow because genuine sales are made during auction.
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.’
Dickinson’s Real Deal expert Cheryl Hakeney is leaving the ITV series after 14 years on the show — to work with her famous daughter
The antiques dealer told MailOnline that her fashion business Mimi Boutique, which she co-owns alongside daughter Zara Holland, who rose to fame on Love Island in 2016, has doubled in size since the pandemic and she needs to commit more hours to the job
Cheryl, who was a daytime TV fixture for years before ex-Miss Great Britain Zara starred on the dating series, explained that as the title suggests, Real Deals are made despite many viewers incorrectly assuming that money isn’t exchanged
Cheryl explained that after a modelling career she followed in her grandfather and father’s footsteps by becoming an antiques expert, first attending auctions in her early 20s.
She was scouted to become a regular on Dickinson’s Real Deal and spent 14 years travelling up and down the country earning her status as a highly regarded antiques dealer.
‘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’ she explained.
‘It is a real deal and that’s where the fascination is. We are real dealers, and it is our real money. I’ll be truthful, sometimes I’ve purchased something that I’ve had to sell at a considerable loss.’
Cheryl compared the show’s format to talent series the X Factor, saying in recent years producers build tension by interviewing the contestants to camera, where they express their hopes in making a profit.
She said: ‘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.’
Cheryl explained that after a modelling career she followed in her grandfather and father’s footsteps by becoming an antiques expert, first attending auctions in her early 20s
Cheryl describes former Bargain Hunt presenter David Dickinson, who’s known for his deep tan and catchphrase ‘cheap as chips’, as a ‘showman’
Cheryl explained the beauty of Dickinson’s Real Deal is when items that are discovered at a charity shop or car boot sale are sold for an enormous profit
Cheryl says the biggest sale she’s ever seen in the show’s history is when an ex-serviceman named John made a staggering £17,000 on his collection of medals that he gathered from when he was in the special forces.
She explained the beauty of the series is when items that are discovered at a charity shop or car boot sale are sold for an enormous profit.
‘The biggest thing we ever had on Dickinson was some medals. The person bringing them in didn’t think they were worth much money but everyone ended up in tears because he went to auction and thought he would get a few hundred but he got £17,000’, she recalled.
‘It was life changing. So many times on Dickinson’s you ask people “where did you get this from?” And it cost a £1 from a car boot sale but it’s worth £150… that’s happened so many times. Or out of a charity shop. The reaction from the crowd when that happens as well it’s amazing, the public absolutely love that.’
Boutique owner Cheryl describes former Bargain Hunt presenter David Dickinson, who’s known for his deep tan and catchphrase ‘cheap as chips’, as a ‘showman’ and says she remembers the TV star before he became a household name, selling from his stand at Olympia London.
She said: ‘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.
Cheryl, whose daughter Zara was stripped of her Miss Great Britain crown when she had sex on Love Island in 2016, sparking uproar over the outdated pageantry business, admits she’s also faced discrimination in her career
The TV star says she was often judged as a ‘dumb blonde’ and her male counterparts would question her place in the industry, but Dickinson’s Real Deal has given a number of female experts a platform to shine
‘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.’
She added: ‘The tan isn’t out of the bottle, so many people ask if it’s real and it is… but I do know he enjoys his holidays!’
Cheryl, whose daughter Zara was stripped of her Miss Great Britain crown when she had sex on Love Island in 2016, sparking uproar over the outdated pageantry business, admits she’s also faced discrimination in her career, describing auctions as ‘male dominated.’
The TV star says she was often judged as a ‘dumb blonde’ and her male counterparts would question her place in the industry, but Dickinson’s Real Deal has given a number of female experts a platform to shine.
She said: ‘There were some very pretty ladies working on that programme let me tell you, Alison, they were all really beautiful and it was good because for many years the antique trade was a man’s world and it’s changed massively now.
‘There are some fantastic lady dealers and lady auctioneers too. Years ago, when I used to stand in the auction rooms, I used to feel self-conscious because it was very much a man’s world but that’s most definitely changed.
‘Some people thought I was a dumb blonde and think, “who the hell is she?” “What on earth is she doing here?” All the guys were a bit old school and didn’t like the idea, so I had to prove my worth and I stood my ground and say “hi, I’m here to buy this” and eventually they realised I’m not just a blonde woman who doesn’t know anything.
‘Us lady dealers had a rough ride in the beginning because we weren’t taken seriously whereas now there are some fantastic and knowledgeable lady dealers out there.’
As someone that has been in the antiques business for over a decade, Cheryl says she has seen a dramatic rise in people attending auctions and selling unwanted items to make extra cash during challenging times.
She revealed more people are even buying engagement rings second hand in a bid to save money during the cost-of-living crisis.
Cheryl added: ‘People are cashing in jewellery that they don’t wear anymore like chunky gold jewellery. It sounds terrible but they can melt it and they’re getting phenomenal amounts of money.
‘I don’t think people are as sentimental as they were years ago. The antique fairs are packed on the weekend right now.
‘People are even buying engagement rings second hand or antique because it’s such a saving not paying VAT and there’s a massive interest from all ages when it comes to antique jewellery.’
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