Martin Roberts questions why Homes Under The Hammer doesn't win awards
Homes Under The Hammer host Martin Roberts has questioned why the hit TV series has never won an award, suggesting it at least deserves one for longevity.
The programme about home renovations and auctions has been running for 21 years and is hugely popular with viewers. But presenter Roberts said not only has it never picked up an accolade, it rarely even gets nominated.
Writing in the Daily Mail he said he was “trying not to take this personally”. But he admitted he was “gutted” when the show recently missed out on a prize at the Television and Radio Industries Club (TRIC) Awards.
Martin Roberts trying not to take lack of awards personally
Roberts - who underwent emergency heart surgery in 2022 to have fluid drained from his chest - has devoted years to Homes Under The Hammer and so far has worked on more than 1500 episodes. “But not only have we never received an award, it's rare for us even to get nominated,” he said.
“Despite getting audience figures in the millions on BBC One every single weekday and many more on BBC iPlayer, I'm trying not to take this personally - but after more than two decades of success, don't we at least merit an award for sheer longevity?”
Presenter had 'high hopes' of winning TRIC gong
The star said when he travelled to the TRIC ceremony in June he had “high hopes” that they were going to win the Daytime category and had even been rehearsing an acceptance speech. But Homes Under The Hammer lost out to Ken Bruce's daytime radio show.
“Congratulations to Ken - I revere his sheer broadcasting brilliance,” he said. “But I felt personally disappointed and also gutted on behalf of the whole team who work so hard to bring the programme to air.”
Martin Roberts bought himself a trophy
The presenter shared that he does have one trophy on his shelf – but confessed that it wasn’t quite what it seemed. Roberts was a camper on reality show I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2016, finishing in sixth place, and the series won a National Television Award for Best Entertainment Programme.
The gong went to hosts Ant and Dec, but Roberts wrote to organisers to ask if he could have a replica himself, seeing as he had been a part of the show.
“They were very helpful and agreed to pop one in the post ... for £900,” he said. “So, what was I to do? I coughed up the £900 and it now has pride of place on my mantelpiece.”
