Martin Roberts has confirmed that BBC's Homes Under the Hammer will return for another 80 episodes, extending its run to over 2,500 programmes after 23 years on air.
The property expert, who has fronted the show since it debuted in 2003, shared the news exclusively with the Mirror, revealing that the commission came as a surprise.
New series commissioned
Speaking about the renewal, Roberts said: "We've just been told that we've just been commissioned for a new series, another 80 programmes, which is extraordinary."
He added: "I've never actually stopped filming in 23 years. I'm not filming every day, but I'll maybe film two days one week, one day another, three days another and it just sort of goes on really."
Roberts explained the production process, noting that researchers and the team at head office find properties, with each episode requiring two full days of filming. "I go along for half a day and film my little bit and then the team go back for another day so two full days filming each property," he said.
Celebrity fans
The presenter revealed that the show attracts famous viewers, including Sir Paul McCartney, Meryl Streep, Mark Wahlberg, and Daniel Craig. He recalled meeting Julie Walters at an event, who told him she watches the show "in our slippers."
Roberts said he remains passionate about the show, adding: "I love hearing what people are going to do and I'm always amazed by what they manage to achieve. It's also the people I meet on a daily basis who just come up to me in Tesco's or car boots and say 'We love your show ... thank you for doing it... It's really helped us'."
He noted that viewers often watch while unwell or caring for relatives, calling those stories "really, really special" and saying they "mean the world" to him.
