DAYTIME TV darling David Dickinson has made his North Yorkshire "comeback".

The presenter of BBC's Bargain Hunt returned to Harrogate, after being banned from a prestigious antiques event in the town earlier this year. The antiques expert known affectionately as The Duke was told never to return to the Great Northern International Antiques and Collectors' Fair after being accused by officials of turning the event into a circus by filming a team of drag queens at the event.

But the subject was declared off limits by the owners of the jewellery store he was in town to open yesterday.

The famously permanently-tanned star appeared unfazed by his return to the town.

He said: "It's great to be back in North Yorkshire, and there has been a great turn-out at the shop - lots of customers, friends of the owners. It is always nice to be greeted so warmly by people."

Mr Dickinson was at the opening of Bradley's Jewellers in Princes Street, the fifth store opened by the company across the region.

Updated: 15:42 Wednesday, April 23, 2003