Michael Hogben
Michael "Hoggy" Hogben (born 6 November 1952) is an English auctioneer, antiques dealer, Author and TV personality who has appeared in the BBC series Bargain Hunt, ITV's Dickinson's Real Deal, and his own series Auction Man. Early life Born in Foord Road in Folkestone, Kent, Hogben's mother died when he was five leaving him and his brother with their father. Hogben purposefully failed his Eleven-plus examination to attend the same school as his brother. After both brothers graduated from school, Hogben's father emigrated to Australia leaving the two boys to fend for themselves. Hogben left school at 15 and two years later came into a small inheritance, which he invested in opening a fashion boutique called "Mickey Finn". Over the next ten years he expanded with outlets throughout Kent. Hogben then sold the fashion chain, and invested in Kent's first wine bar – McCartney's – in Dover. Having studied art, in 1988 he opened his own auction house in Folkestone, which then traded until he sold it in 2004. In 2013 Michael and his wife Lesley opened Westenhanger Auction Galleries, an auction house offering eight specialist auctions per year. Television Hogben became a Bargain Hunt expert when four of the