Paul Hayes (antiques expert)

Career

Hayes began trading Dinky Toys from the age of six. Aged 19, he followed his father into the antiques business. His first sale was that of an old television. He has owned an antiques shop in his home town of Morecambe, Lancashire, since the early 1990s. He opened a new antiques showroom in Middleton in the summer of 2011.

Hayes has appeared in the BBC's Bargain Hunt, Housecall and Cash in the Attic. He was also appointed by Crimewatch as their resident stolen-antiques expert, and in 2004 he presented the short-lived Star Sale. In the same year he released a book, titled Cash in the Attic: How to Make Money From Your Forgotten Treasures, on BBC Books.

Hayes is currently presenting a new series of Car Booty on BBC One. In 2005, when Cash in the Attic began occasional hour-long episodes, Hayes filled the role of host for the first half of the show, with regular host Alistair Appleton coming in for a second rummage around the house and the corresponding auction. Appleton nicknamed Hayes "Porcelain Paul", due to his affinity for ceramics.

Hayes' other TV appearances include Ready Steady Cook, Richard & Judy, Trading Treasures, Great Food Live and The Genuine Article.

In October 2011 he revealed he had been in talks with the BBC about becoming the new presenter for Songs of Praise.

Personal life

Hayes is married to Kathryn, with whom he has three children: James, David and Nathan.

As demonstrated in episodes of Cash in the Attic, Hayes is a lover of tea; is a budding pianist; has a fear of snakes and is a fan of Elvis Presley (and has even sung a line from "Suspicious Minds").