Profile

Paul Hayes is an energetic young antiques expert who was born into the antiques business, discovered by the BBC and was a resident antiques expert on BBC’s Cash in the Attic, Celebrity Cash in the Attic, Trash to Cash and Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is. He is also a regular contributor to The Sun for their Antiques articles.

BBC1's Bargain Hunt programme were so impressed with Paul that he appeared as one of their regular experts. BBC1's popular daytime show Housecall followed, in which Paul shared his considerable knowledge about different categories of antiques and collectables. He co-presented Cash in the Attic between Autumn 2002 (for 15 series) until Spring 2011.Paul is also the expert contributor to Crimewatch UK and regularly appears on the programme talking about stolen antiques.

As well as his television work since 2002, Paul has written Cash in the Attic (BBC Books). He has hosted antiques and collectables valuation sessions for Tesco Supermarkets around the country.

Biography

Paul Hayes is an energetic young antiques expert who was discovered by the BBC and is now a resident antiques expert on Cash in the Attic.

He was born into the antiques business - his father was a dealer and ran a business specialising in portable antiques.  By the age of six Paul was buying and selling Dinky Toys and at 19 he set up in business with his father.  For the past ten years Paul has operated as a trade dealer, travelling around the country buying items from the public and selling them on to his contacts within the antiques trade.

In February 2000 Paul was discovered by chance by BBC1's Bargain Hunt programme and they were so impressed, that he appeared as one of the regular experts. Then in January 2001 he was asked to appear as the antiques specialist on BBC1's popular daytime show Housecall, sharing his considerable knowledge about different categories of antiques and collectibles.  He has been co-presenter of Cash in the Attic since Autumn 2002 and was the expert presenter on BBC1’s Star Sale in 2004.  Paul is also the expert contributor to Crimewatch UK and regularly appears on the programme talking about stolen antiques. Other TV appearances include Ready Steady Cook, Richard & Judy, Trading Treasures, Great Food Live and The Genuine Article that was also shown on American TV.

Paul is very keen to demystify the antiques business - his mission is to encourage people from all walks of life to become knowledgeable collectors and a book titled Cash in the Attic and written by Paul has recently been published by BBC Books.

As well as his television work, since 2003 Paul has been hosting antiques and collectibles valuation sessions for Tesco Supermarkets around the country.  He is also a regular guest speaker for DMG Antiques Fairs at Detling, Newark, Ardingly and other venues and has appeared at the Ideal Home Show.

Paul's Car Booty, for BBC1, screened in 2007. Paul was then commissioned to present a third series of Trash to Cash for the BBC, which has just been recommissioned for a fourth series.

In addition to the above, Paul's other series with Reef TV, Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, was such a success, he is in the process of filming the second series due for broadcast on BBC1 again later this year.

Paul lives in Morecambe (where he was born and raised) with his wife and three children.

Updated 25/08/2011