Martin Roberts has appeared on Homes Under the Hammer since 2003, becoming a familiar face on daytime TV. The Warrington-born presenter, now 63, also appeared on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here in 2016, finishing sixth.
Career on Homes Under the Hammer
Roberts grew up in Stockton Heath and studied electronic engineering at the University of Bradford from 1983 to 1986. He began his career at BBC Radio Manchester and later worked as a property developer. In 2003, he started presenting and writing Homes Under the Hammer, initially with Lucy Alexander.
He has also featured on shows such as Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, How to Survive the Property Crisis, ITV's Wish You Were Here, Celebrity Masterchef, and Pointless.
Health Scare and Recovery
In April 2022, Roberts experienced chest pains and was rushed to hospital. He was diagnosed with pericardial effusion, a buildup of fluid around the heart, and underwent life-saving emergency surgery. He later said fluid was “strangling” his heart and he had “hours to live.”
Speaking to The Mirror, Roberts said: “I can't understate the mental after-effects of what happened to me. The physical stuff you get over, but it's the overriding thought it could have all ended. Everything you tried to do, and your family, you realise it could all be gone. I was told I needed to slow down and I've gone the other way.”
He added: “Hopefully I've got many years but you never know. That whole thing that happened to me makes you realise how thin a thread we dangle from. But you can't go through life living in that fear.”
Family Life
Roberts married Kirsty in 2010, and they have two children: daughter Megan and son Scott. The family lives in Paulton, near Bath in Somerset. He keeps his private life low-key but has been open about his health scare.
Renovating a Welsh Pub
Since his health scare, Roberts bought The Hendrewen Hotel and Pub in Blaencwm, Rhondda Valley, South Wales. He has shared the emotional challenges of renovating while being away from his family.
Speaking to The Express, he said: “The family are really supportive, but the kids are at school so we have to keep the family boat sailing.” He added that his wife keeps on top of everything, enabling him to work on the project, which is taking “longer than expected” according to Wales Online.
Roberts said: “As tiring and heartbreaking at times as it is, you know, it's something I'm really, really enjoying and proud of.”
