Martin Roberts, presenter of BBC One’s Homes Under the Hammer, has paid heartfelt tribute to his late colleague Clive Emson, who passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 13, aged 79, surrounded by family.
Roberts shared a touching Instagram post featuring a photograph of Clive Emson, writing, “So, so sad to hear of the passing of Clive Emson. He truly was the Doyen of auctioneers. God bless you, lovely man.”
Fans and fellow presenters quickly followed suit in the comments, reflecting on Emson’s warmth and charm. Lucy Alexander, co-presenter on the show, called him “an absolute legend of a guy,” accompanied by a heartbroken emoji. Others fondly remembered meeting him, describing him as “pleasant and quite funny,” and “great fun to film with over the years.”
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Emson’s presence on Homes Under the Hammer spanned more than two decades, where his memorable catchphrase “have gavel, will travel” became synonymous with his role. Beyond television, he was the driving force behind Clive Emson Land and Property Auctioneers, a company operating across southern England from Kent to Cornwall.
In 2019, Clive Emson was honored with an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his dedicated work supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged young people in Kent. He quietly contributed through his presidency of The Young Lives Foundation (YLF), an organization that provides invaluable support to young people in care.
Reflecting on the award, Emson said it caught him by surprise. “I’m not sure who nominated me. It was a complete and utter surprise. I’ve always kept my charity work under the radar,” he revealed.
Emson emphasized the importance of his role as an independent visitor, explaining, “When you talk to children, they say what they think, which is lovely. I’m completely non-judgmental. For many of these children, I’m the only person in their lives who isn’t paid to be there.”
He highlighted the instability faced by children in care, saying, “They have no meaningful contact with their families. Their schools change, social workers change, so these independent visitors become the only constant in their lives.”
Clive Emson’s legacy extends beyond his beloved TV role—he touched countless lives with kindness, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to helping others. His loss is deeply felt across the Homes Under the Hammer community and beyond.