Born in Ford Road in Folkestone, Kent,Michael'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 had graduated from school,Michael's father decided to emigrate to Australia leaving the two boys to fend for themselves. Hogben left school at 15, and within a year was running one himself.
Aged 17 Hogben came into a small inheritance, which he invested in opening a fashion boutique called "Mickey Finn", which over the next ten years he expanded with outlets over Kent
Hogben then sold the fashion chain, and invested in Kent's first wine bar – McCartney's – in Dover.
Having studied art, Five years later in 1988 he opened his own auction house in Folkestone, which then traded until he sold it in 2004.
since 2010 Michael has been principal valuer and auctioneer for the very successful auction house
Westenhanger Auction
Television Hogben became a "Bargain Hunt" expert when four of the earliest shows visited his auction rooms to sell contestants items. The producer liked Michael's style so much, he was offered a position. Hogben said yes, but in his first show declared a pair of Art Deco vases Art Nouveau! Hogben holds the record for the largest profit on a single item on "Bargain Hunt", when a team he led purchased a Royal Worcester box at Ardingly fair for £140, that made £800 in a live auction shown on BBC One.
After screen testing for but deciding against presenting "Flog It!" for the BBC in favour of his business,Michael's style made him a choice for his own show, which was created in the BBC series "Auction Man". Focusing on his auction rooms, the show showed how the auction room worked, focusing mainly on Michael and his family, and staff The show also showed viewers tips on spotting auction bargains, as well as the characters, celebrities, sharp customers and the unscrupulous dealers. The show ran for two series.
Michael currently appears on friend David Dickinson's ITV 1 show "Dickinson's Real Deal."
Personal life Married to his long term partner Lesley, the couple eventually married after living together for a long time - Vic Reeves was bestman.
- "Michael Hogben: A-Z of Antiques and Auction" -
- "101 Antiques for the future" -
- "Collecting Under the Radar: Tomorrow's Antiques"(Red Rock Press)American only-April 2009
