Martel Maxwell has been a familiar face on BBC One’s Homes Under the Hammer since 2017. She joined the property show alongside Martin Roberts and Dion Dublin. Her infectious enthusiasm for property renovation has won over millions of viewers. In 2026, searches for “Martel Maxwell” remain steady. Fans want to know about her background, husband and life away from the cameras.
The Scottish presenter has a fascinating career journey. She started as a showbiz reporter before moving into property television. Therefore, this guide covers everything about Martel Maxwell’s life and career.
Who Is Martel Maxwell? Age and Early Life
Martel Maxwell was born on 9 March 1977 in Dundee, Scotland [citation:4]. She is 49 years old as of 2026. She grew up in Dundee and attended the High School of Dundee [citation:4]. After school, she studied law at the University of Edinburgh. She also took a postgraduate diploma in law at the University of Dundee [citation:4].
Instead of pursuing a law career, Martel turned to journalism. She applied for The Sun’s first graduate traineeship. She beat 3,000 other hopefuls for the position [citation:5]. This decision changed the course of her professional life completely.
Martel Maxwell’s Journalism and Showbiz Career
Before television fame, Martel built an impressive journalism career. She worked at The Sun for seven years [citation:4]. She wrote for the news, features and showbiz desks. Her love for partying landed her on the Bizarre showbiz desk [citation:7].
During this time she interviewed major celebrities. These included Tom Cruise, Kylie Minogue and Sir Sean Connery [citation:2]. Her journalism experience helped her transition into television. She became a regular newspaper reviewer on Daybreak, Lorraine and Sky News [citation:2].
Television Career Before Homes Under the Hammer
Martel’s broadcast career began in 2010. She worked as an occasional reporter on The One Show [citation:4]. She also became a regular entertainment contributor on Lorraine [citation:4] , appeared on BBC Scotland’s magazine show On the Road and the country show Landward [citation:5].
also presented a BBC Three consumer affairs programme called Don’t Get Screwed [citation:4]. In 2008, she had her own radio show on Talk107 in Edinburgh. She also worked as a stand-in presenter for BBC Radio Scotland [citation:2].
Homes Under the Hammer: Joining the Team
Martel joined Homes Under the Hammer in 2017. She replaced long-time presenter Lucy Alexander [citation:2]. She joined the team alongside Martin Roberts and Dion Dublin. Her property knowledge came from personal experience. “Property runs through my family, from plastering to building homes through the generations. It’s in my blood,” she said [citation:2].
She has since become a firm favourite with viewers. Her warm presenting style complements the show’s format. She continues to appear regularly on the BBC One daytime programme [citation:1].
Martel Maxwell’s Writing Career and Books
Martel is also a published author. She wrote a novel called “Scandalous” in 2010 [citation:4]. The book draws on her experiences as a showbiz reporter. The Daily Telegraph called it “a thrilling insight into the celebrity-baiting world of the kiss and tell” [citation:4].
She also writes a weekly column for the Evening Telegraph in Dundee [citation:4]. She has written over 550 columns for the newspaper [citation:3]. In 2024, she announced a new weekly column for The Courier newspaper [citation:3].
Martel Maxwell’s Husband and Family Life
Martel is married to her husband Jamie Parret. The couple has three sons together [citation:4]. They live near Dundee in Scotland. Two of their sons inherited the ginger gene from Martel [citation:5].
Her husband is rarely seen in public. Martel keeps her family life relatively private. However, she has shared glimpses of their stunning home on social media. The couple built their own family home in the Perthshire hills [citation:5].
Building Her Own Home: A Labour of Love
Martel and her husband built their dream home from scratch. The property sits on land where only a cattle grid once stood [citation:5]. The home was shortlisted for a prestigious property award. They made the house fully sustainable with renewable energy [citation:5].
Her home features an open-plan living and dining area. The kitchen has grey cupboards and white worktops [citation:6]. Martel occasionally shares photos of the space on Instagram. Fans love seeing her stunning Scottish property.
Martel Maxwell’s Net Worth in 2026
Martel Maxwell’s estimated net worth is between £500,000 and £1 million. She earns from her presenting role on Homes Under the Hammer. The BBC daytime show has been running for over 20 years. She also earns from her newspaper columns and occasional TV appearances [citation:5].
She has appeared on several celebrity quiz shows. These include Pointless Celebrities, Celebrity Mastermind and The Hit List [citation:5]. Each appearance adds to her public profile and income.
Why Martel Maxwell Is Trending in 2026
Martel Maxwell continues to trend for several reasons. Homes Under the Hammer remains a popular daytime show. New episodes air regularly on BBC One. Her down-to-earth presenting style appeals to viewers. Additionally, her newspaper columns keep her connected to fans.
Her Scottish roots and property expertise make her relatable. Consequently, searches for “Martel Maxwell” remain consistently strong throughout 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How old is Martel Maxwell?
Born 9 March 1977. She is 49 years old as of 2026 [citation:4].
Who is Martel Maxwell married to?
She is married to Jamie Parret. The couple has three sons.
What does Martel Maxwell do on Homes Under the Hammer?
She is one of the main presenters on the BBC One property show. She joined in 2017 [citation:2].
Has Martel Maxwell written a book?
Yes. She wrote a novel called “Scandalous” in 2010 [citation:4].
Where is Martel Maxwell from?
Dundee, Scotland [citation:4].
Does Martel Maxwell write a newspaper column?
Yes. She writes weekly columns for The Courier and the Evening Telegraph [citation:3][citation:4].
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