A TV antiques expert has become swept up in the Dominic Cummings drama after he was ­­­­­­­­­­­­­mistaken for someone called Dominic around the time of the reports.

Barnard Castle shop owner and Bargain Hunt star, David Harper Tweeted: “I was mistaken for someone called Dominic a few weeks ago, when doing work on my shop in Barnard Castle...now it makes sense.”

Many have since called out similarities between the two and fear the reports could be false and a case of mistaken identity.

Mr Harper said he could not see the resemblance himself and in the future hopes to be mistaken for someone more along the lines of Brad Pitt.  

He said: “I think when you’re on the tele people get you mixed up with all sorts of people. I genuinely do not know if people could have mistaken me for him. All I did was tweet something funny which was true, but again because you’re on tele people very often recognise your face but don’t know your name and often get you mixed up with others.

“I live in Barnard Castle but haven’t heard anything about Dominic Cummings or anyone famous wondering around town till the other day, so I honestly couldn’t say if someone has mixed me up with him.

Although the two have very different dress styles around the time of the reports the TV star was wearing different clothes whilst working on the shop in Barnard Castle ­- which he is planning to open as soon as Boris Johnson gives the green light - and said they could be something Cummings would wear.

Mr Harper also said he thinks the spotlight should be put back on getting people back to work, health and the economy.

He added: This whole blow up about if a guy was in town or not is bonkers beyond belief when business people are trying desperately to get trading again. We are going to see thousands of companies and individuals go bust and pay the price to protect people. I think business owners and entrepreneurs are the unsung heroes as they are paying massive financial costs to keep people safe.”