Clive Emson, the auctioneer and star of BBC's Homes Under The Hammer, has died at the age of 79. He passed away on Wednesday (May 13) with his family by his side.
Emson, whose mantra was “have gavel, will travel”, was the founder of Clive Emson Land and Property Auctioneers. He was awarded an MBE for his charity work in Kent.
He began his career in property at 16, earning £1.50 a week as a junior estate agent. He launched his first estate agency in Hythe in 1973 and later opened his own firm in Folkestone during the recession.
His regular appearances on Homes Under The Hammer made him a familiar face to millions of viewers. He said the programme helped improve the reputation of auction houses, which were once seen as places for “dealers and crooked people”.
Emson is survived by his two children, James and Rebecca. His wife Sue died six years ago after 50 years of marriage.
