You ask the questions: David Dickinson

(Such as: so, now your TV programme is going primetime, are you ready for super-stardom? And are you a collector's item or just for display?)

The presenter of Bargain Hunt, David Dickinson, was born in 1941 and adopted by a family living in Cheadle, Lancashire. After leaving school at 14 to work as an apprentice engineer, he moved into the textile trade, working as a commission agent. In the Sixties, he married the cabaret singer Lorne Lesley, giving up his job to become her manager. Later, he became an antiques dealer, opening a number of shops, before a chance meeting with a TV producer led to his first television appearance. Bargain Hunt, which has regularly been BBC 1's highest-rating morning programme, goes primetime on 22 August.

How are you dealing with being a cult figure? Are you prepared for primetime super-stardom?
Sarah Holland, Denbigh

It's a kick for a 60-year-old bloke to have university fan clubs and women aged from 20 to 80 writing to me. It's all a bit of fun. There's nothing naughty. A lot of students come to the shows with pictures of me on their T-shirts. We've even had girls coming along with knickers with my face on the front. Now, in the street, two out of every three people know me. I was in Mexico last Christmas, in a small village, and suddenly, from across the street, someone shouted, "You won't find any bargains here!"

Do you worry about not being taken seriously as an antiques dealer any more?
Hayley Jones, Crowborough

Not at all. I've been in this business now for about 30 years and recently I've been at the more expensive end of the market. I specialise in furniture but I do sell all manner of things: marble, bronze, oriental wares. I know most of the international dealers in this country and I have a good reputation among them. I went to the antiques fair at Olympia in June and I think I sold goods worth £250,000.

Terry Wogan suggested that you bathe in tea. So, how do you maintain your bronzed glow?
Ben Lewis, by e-mail

Someone else said I look like Lovejoy's dad – bloody cheek, because he's older than me. Another one I heard was that I looked like Peter Stringfellow's lovechild crossed with a mahogany hat stand. I'm not offended. I think it's fantastic. I am what I am. What makes TV easy for me is that I don't have a television persona. What you see is me. The secret of my tan? Well, my grandfather was Armenian and my grandmother was French, so I've always got an olivey colour. Plus, I'm a little bit partial to holidays. So no, I don't use sunbeds or fake tan.

What's your most treasured antique at home?
Tony Radford, Bretton

It's a small bell that belonged to my granny. She used to have some knick-knacks in a cabinet – nothing of great value, but very personal to her. Before she died she said, "What do you want of my pieces?" I had always admired this bell, and there's a story attached to it. Her uncle worked in Philadelphia, and when slavery was abolished, the slaves rang the bell so loud they cracked it, so it was called the Liberty Bell. This little bell was a lead souvenir reproduction that was cast at the same time. Her uncle must have sent it back to relatives in England.

Who would do best at Bargain Hunt – you or Lovejoy?
Nora Mackintosh, Aberdeen

There's no question. Ian McShane may be a very fine actor, but he wouldn't be able to beat me.

What's been your best bargain buy?
Harry Fuller, London

I've had a lot over the years, as you might imagine. In 1984, I bought a life-sized peacock from the Minton factory. It was about 5ft tall. I went to Australia to buy it and sent it to a client in the US. I got about £25,000 for it and I paid about £10,000 plus expenses. Another one sold recently for £120,000.

I've just moved into a new house. Now I need to fill it with a few tasteful but not-too-pricey items. Where should I start looking?
Yasmin Fullerton, by e-mail

I would check out your local salesroom. What you are looking for is a general sale. Usually, auctioneers have four or five antiques sales a year where they sell their best and most expensive pieces. But they have a general sale weekly or fortnightly. These sales don't attract the big-bidding clients, so they're not as intimidating. Go and watch a few sales and bid for something you like. Until you get some experience, what you are looking for is things that are in good condition and seem good value for money.

At 60, you could be considered a bit of an antique. Are you still young at heart, though?
Iain Morgan, Harwich

Let me tell you, I am still a rocker. I feel exactly the same as I did when I was 20. I'm still into fashion. When I was a lad, jeans were just coming in. Rock'n'roll started. I like to see young people doing their thing. If I see a boy with a Mohican, I'll shout, "Yeah!" I've just started rapping. A student downloaded the jingle from Bargain Hunt and put some of my sayings over the top. Chris Moyles has been playing it on Radio 1. When I was on Moyles's show the other week, Shaggy was on. I said to him, "I'm a bit of a rapper myself, Shaggy." I don't think he knew what to make of me.

I'm a student, and you've inspired me to supplement my meagre loan by dabbling in the antiques trade. How do I get started?
Pete Anderson, Cowes

Use a bit of that shrewd student mentality. Go into the general sales and think, "What looks desirable but inexpensive for what it should be?" If you buy one or two of those things, they'll be easy to recycle and make a small profit on. Don't be fooled into thinking this is an elitist business. I started buying for my own home and then I went out with a few hundred pounds. After that, a lot of hard work and learning followed.

Each Bargain Hunter's budget is £200. How much do you allow yourself?
Tim Osborne, by e-mail

I started with a very small budget. Over 30 years I've built up. I would normally buy things from £500 to maybe £30-40,000.

There are many ladies out there (and a few boys, too) who find you rather appealing. Are you a collector's item or for display only?
Katy O'Connor, Belfast

I think my wife would say that I am certainly for display only.

Apparently, you've had the same hairstyle since 1969. Will you have to fend off the BBC stylists when you go primetime, or is it time for a change?
a Rubach, London

It has changed a bit. I had a Beatle haircut at one stage. But it's always been long. I'm under no pressure from the BBC to change, and if I was I'd tell them where to go.

'Bargain Hunt' starts in its 8pm slot on BBC 1 on Thursday 22 August