A pawn dealer from Chester is about to become a reality TV star after it was revealed the History Channel has made a British version of the blockbuster US series Pawn Stars.
Mark Manning is the owner of Regal Pawn in Sealand where camera crews have been busy capturing the day-to-day antics of the fascinating business.
The stars of the show are Mark himself (aka Big Mark), his daughter Vicki, his best friend Little Mark and Little Mark’s son, Marco.
It is based on the same concept as the American show which focuses on a family-run pawn shop in Las Vegas operated by patriarch Richard ‘Old Man’ Harrison and his son Rick Harrison. And Rick recently popped over to the UK to pay Mark and the boys a visit.
A publicity blurb for the History Channel says: “As we all know, we have a bit more history in the UK than they do in the US. It’s not their fault; we’ve just been around for longer!
“Accordingly, Pawn Stars UK will feature distinctly British items with a rich, historical heritage. A funeral pass belonging to the Duke of Wellington, a replica Spitfire, a suit worn by Charlie Chaplin, Muhammad Ali’s speedball and some original Picasso lithographs are just a few examples of some of the items to pass through the doors of Regal Pawn so far.
“All will be revealed when Pawn Stars UK opens its doors on History later this year.”
Mark Manning appeared in The Chronicle last year after acquiring a tiny but precious piece of the famous liner’s hull worth an estimated £2m, which is locked away for safekeeping.
To contact Regal Pawn, telephone 01244 459140 or visit www.facebook.com/RegalPawn
