David Dickinson's life off-screen – jail sentence, iconic tan and Wayne Rooney link

dailystar.co.uk:

David Dickinson MBE has been entertaining the nation with his antiques expertise since he first appeared on TV in 1998 – but viewers may not know he's had a life almost as colourful as his iconic tan.Between the years 2000 and 2004, David presented BBC One daytime show Bargain Hunt, before he was succeeded by Tim Wonnacott.

After leaving the BBC in 2005, he took on the role of hosting the ITV daytime show Dickinson's Real Deal. READ MORE: David Dickinson to be honoured at National Reality TV Awards as nominations revealedBut before his shiny career, many may be surprised to know that the TV host spent a few years in prison.Some may also be unaware of his family life and the secret behind his famous tan.Daily Star has taken a closer look at his life.Before he came across fame and fortune, David, 81, spent three years of his life behind bars.At the age of 19, the Real Deal presenter served three years of a four-year prison sentence for mail-order fraud.The illegal scheme involved buying goods on credit, selling them and once sold recycling the money back into the business to gain a better credit rating.David spent the majority of his sentence in Strangeways prison located in Manchester.Speaking about his experience in 2005, David told The Mirror: "I hated every moment but I knew I had to get through.

I vowed I would never do anything to put myself back in this position. I had brought shame on my family, I’d been a cocky young thing."Describing the moment he was arrested, he said: "I will never forget the moment.