Michael Hogben Biography

Auctioneer, friend of the stars, lover of sports cars, colourful clothes and a celebrity lifestyle - that's the Michael Hogben the public know.

In reality, he prefers to live a private and quiet life at his home in Hythe, with his wife Lesley.

His career was virtually brought to a standstill after being arrested in December 2005. He was charged with retaining two paintings belonging to an "old lady" he'd visited to carry out a valuation. The "old lady" was actually 35 years old and Michael had put a value of £100 on each of the paintings.

After the paintings had failed to reach the Tunbridge Wells auction house he'd recommended there followed a police investigation and the start of his harrowing ordeal.

Judge Nigel van der Bijl dismissed the case before it began at Canterbury Crown Court on 14 May 2007, saying to Michael "You are an innocent man".

Michael says "I'm ecstatic. I think it was bizarre I was accused in the first place and my lawyers and the judge thought so too."

The star of the television shows Real Deal and Bargain Hunt said that his 2 year ordeal had almost financially ruined him because his television and valuation work dried up.

"It has been stressful financially. It has almost ruined me because I haven't been able to work. I couldn't advertise my services and I couldn't work on television while this was going on."

"I've built up a pension fund over 20 years of hard work and I've had to liquidate everything to survive. I was on pills from the doctor."

Michael says "it epitomises what happens when you appear on television. People tend to pick on you more - because you've done well at something they want to kick you down again."

To have to rebuild a reputation built up over a quarter of a century takes time but the diary is filling up with auctions, television appearances and writing assignments.

Born on 6 November 1952, Michael's mother passed away when he was aged just 5. Educated in Folkestone, he deliberately failed his 11+ exams so he could go to the the same school as Geoff, his brother.

Leaving school at 15 to work in a shop, within a year he was running one himself. His father emigrated to Australia leaving Michael and his brother in England. At the age of 17 Michael opened Mickey Finn, a fashion boutique.

Clearly the world of business suited him but after ten years Michael bored of the fashion industry and opened Kent's first wine bar - McCartney's - in Dover.

Michael studied art and made his living buying and selling Victorian oil and watercolours. An auctioneer for 15 years and 20 in the antiques trade his own collection includes Patrick Caulfield and Tracey Emin.

Michael ran Hogben Auctioneers in Folkestone with the help of Lesley his son Jai. Purely by chance he became a Bargain Hunt expert when the show visited his saleroom to record four shows. They liked his style and asked if he'd be prepared to appear on Bargain Hunt as an expert.

Michael dropped a clanger in his first show as he bought a pair of vases that were Art Nouveau but said they were Art Deco due to nerves!

A BBC documentary series, Auction Man, which revealed the human stories behind the goods that go under the hammer followed.

Filled with tips on how to spot a gem, Auction Man introduced Michael as a diamond geezer and showed what made the business such a success with its regular visitors, celebrities, sharp customers and the unscrupulous dealers.

After sending a catalogue to Jim Moir (Vic Reeves) he began frequenting the saleroom and following a cup of tea which led to a bottle of Chablis and then another, the two became good mates and he was best man at Michael and Lesley's wedding.

A big fan of Art Deco "it's such a great style", Michael spends time building his personal collection of decorative art from the '20s and '30s. Among the most distinctive pieces from this period were made by Clarice Cliff of which Michael is an expert.

With ever an eye for a bargain Michael buys all his clothes in the sales. Shopping at Dolce & Gabbana, Vivian Westwood, Paul Smith, Alexander McQueen. He likes D&G shirts in particular because they're always groovy and bright.

A lover of Mozart, he also enjoys listening to Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The Eagles and Jeff Beck.

For more information visit Michael's web site.