BBC Homes Under the Hammer legend dies as tributes flood in
Awful news, RIP
www.express.co.ukHere’s what I found about Clive Emson, based on recent reporting:
- Clive Emson, the well-known auctioneer and longtime face of BBC’s Homes Under the Hammer, has died at age 79. He passed away around mid-May 2026, with reports noting he died peacefully and surrounded by family.[1][2][3]
- Emson was celebrated for his charity work, including contributions to Kent’s Young Lives Foundation, which helped earn him an MBE in 2019. He built a prominent regional auction business spanning southern England.[3][1]
- He was synonymous with his catchphrase “have gavel, will travel,” and his career included founding Clive Emson Auctioneers and expanding operations to the Kent Showground Detling before many activities shifted online during the pandemic.[1][3]
If you’d like, I can pull more details about his career milestones, funeral arrangements, or tributes from specific outlets. I can also summarize ongoing tributes or media coverage from the latest days. Would you like me to do that?
Citations:
- Clive Emson death reporting and age.[2][3][1]
- Charitable work and MBE award.[3][1]