A NORTH-EAST antiques dealer is to become the next David Dickinson after he was selected to present a television gameshow.

David Harper, of Kingsley and Co Antiques, who has antique shops at Barnard Castle, in County Durham, and Darlington, has been selected to present Natural Born Dealers, which will be screened on Channel Four from May.

Mr Harper, 37, has been in the antiques trade for 15 years and regularly guests on antiques shows on local radio stations and has worked as a consultant for the BBC show Cash in the Attic.

Mr Harper said: "When I went for the first audition, I just thought I was being asked to make up the numbers, but then they asked me back for a second audition, but they had some rather blunt suggestions about what I should do."

These included trimming his eyebrows, shaving his beard off, and wearing glasses and a jacket.

He has also been told to lose some weight and get a suntan.

Following the successful pilot, 22 hour-long episodes have been commissioned.

Although Mr Harper still intends to keep his antiques business, he said he may close the Darlington shop if he finds he does not have the time to run it.

Contestants are given £300 to spend at auction, and then have to sell purchases privately in a week. The team with the most money wins their profit and that of the other team.

Mr Harper said: "It is a great format and there is real pressure.

"I am still working on some catchphrases, but I'm not too worried. I bet it took David Dickinson ages to come up with 'Cheap as Chips'."

To become a contestant on the show, call Mr Harper on (01833) 695959, who will pass details to the production team.

Published: 20/01/2005