Hogben left school at 15 and two years later came into a small inheritance, which he invested in opening a fashion boutique called "Mickey Finn".
[citation needed] Hogben then sold the fashion chain, and invested in Kent's first wine bar – McCartney's – in Dover.
[citation needed] Now Retired Hogben became a Bargain Hunt expert when four of the earliest shows visited his auction rooms to sell contestant's items.
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, then made £800 in a live auction shown on BBC One.
The show also includes viewers' tips on spotting auction bargains, as well as celebrities, sharp customers and the unscrupulous dealers.