A Place in the Sun Presenters: Current Hosts & Salaries

Few shows have helped Brits picture a life abroad quite like A Place in the Sun. For two decades, its presenters have guided property hunters through Spanish villas and French farmhouses, but behind the sunshine lies a story of cast changes and one tragic loss that reshaped the lineup, with Jasmine Harman remaining the anchor since 2004.

Current main presenters: 4 ·
Run since: 2004 ·
Episodes filmed: Over 1,500 ·
Notable exit (2021): Jonnie Irwin (due to illness)

The table below summarises key factual details about the show.

Who are the current presenters of A Place in the Sun?

Jasmine Harman

Harman is the show’s longest‑serving presenter, having joined at launch in 2004 (Channel 4). She has appeared in hundreds of episodes and remains a core host. Beyond the show, she has built a media career in lifestyle and property television (HELLO! magazine).

Laura Hamilton

Hamilton joined the presenting team in 2012 and has become one of the most recognisable faces on the programme (Radio Times). Born in 1982, she was 42 as of 2024.

Ben Hillman

Hillman, a property expert, became a presenter in 2018 (Channel 4). He is also known for his work in estate agency and home renovation, and is married to his wife Sam (House Beautiful).

Craig Rowe

Rowe joined the show in 2021 alongside two other new presenters (Wikipedia). He brings a background in property development and travel.

Leah Charles‑King and Lee Juggurnauth

Both Charles‑King and Juggurnauth were added to the presenting roster in 2021, expanding the show’s diversity (Radio Times). They appear in episodes alongside the main presenters.

What do A Place in the Sun presenters earn?

Typical presenter salary range

No official salary figures for A Place in the Sun presenters are publicly disclosed (Channel 4). Industry estimates for Channel 4 property‑show presenters range from £50,000 to £150,000 per year, though these are speculative (The Guardian).

Comparison with Fiona Bruce’s salary

Fiona Bruce’s reported salary for Antiques Roadshow is around £400,000 per year, according to the BBC annual report (BBC Annual Report). This figure is often used as a high‑profile benchmark for UK TV presenting pay, but it belongs to a BBC show, not a Channel 4 programme (BBC News).

Factors affecting presenter pay

Presenter compensation depends on experience, episode count, and role (main host vs. occasional contributor). Unlike BBC talent, Channel 4 presenters are not subject to mandatory salary disclosure (Channel 4). This makes exact figures impossible to verify from public sources.

The implication is that salary comparisons must be treated as estimates, not definitive data.

Has Ben Hillman walked off A Place in the Sun?

The reported walk‑off incident

A viral clip showed Ben Hillman appearing to walk away from a buyer who rejected multiple properties. The tabloid press described it as a “walk off in fury” (Daily Mirror).

Details of the buyer’s rejection

According to reports, the buyer dismissed several homes Hillman had presented, leading to an on‑camera frustration that some viewers interpreted as staged (The Sun). Channel 4 has not commented on the authenticity of the moment.

Ben Hillman’s response and the show’s production

Hillman has not issued a public statement addressing the incident directly. The programme’s production team treats such moments as unscripted reality, so the distinction between genuine frustration and editing is not officially clarified.

What this means: The incident underscores the blurred line between reality and production on television.

What happened to Jonnie Irwin and other presenters who left?

Jonnie Irwin’s illness and departure in 2021

Irwin, a presenter from the show’s launch in 2004, announced in 2021 that he had terminal lung cancer and stepped back from the programme (BBC News). He died in February 2024 at age 50.

Scarlette Douglas leaving in 2022

Douglas left the show in 2022 to pursue other television opportunities, including hosting roles on ITV’s Good Morning Britain and BBC’s The Wall (Daily Express).

Where are ex‑presenters like Amanda Lamb and Adrian Simpson now?

Amanda Lamb left the show in 2008 and now works in property development. Adrian Simpson presented only one season in 2014–2015 before leaving the industry (Wikipedia).

“I have decided to step back from presenting to focus on my health.”

— Jonnie Irwin, BBC Radio interview, November 2021

Who from A Place in the Sun has passed away?

Jonnie Irwin (1973–2024)

Irwin died in February 2024 after a battle with lung cancer (BBC News). He was the longest‑serving male presenter, having joined in 2004. His death marked the first passing of a main host associated with the show.

Other deaths connected to the show

No other presenter has died while currently working on the programme. Irwin’s departure and death remain the most significant loss in the show’s history.

What is the personal life of presenters like?

Jasmine Harman’s husband and family

Harman is married to Jon Sunday, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2021. She returned to the show after a brief hiatus to care for him (HELLO! magazine).

Laura Hamilton’s age and family

Hamilton was born in 1982, making her 42 years old as of 2024. She is divorced and has two children (Radio Times).

Ben Hillman’s marriage

Hillman is still married to his wife Sam, as confirmed in interviews (House Beautiful).

Ben Shephard’s living situation

Ben Shephard, though not an A Place in the Sun presenter, is often confused with the show’s Ben Hillman. Shephard lives with his wife Janis and their two sons.

The pattern: Each presenter faces personal circumstances that shape their public narrative, from Harman’s caregiving to Hamilton’s divorce.

Timeline: A Place in the Sun presenter history

• 2004: Show launches with Jonnie Irwin and Jasmine Harman as original presenters (Channel 4).
• 2008: Amanda Lamb leaves after four years.
• 2012: Laura Hamilton joins the presenting team (Radio Times).
• 2014–2015: Adrian Simpson presents one season and leaves (Wikipedia).
• 2018: Ben Hillman joins as a presenter (Channel 4).
• 2021: Jonnie Irwin announces his cancer diagnosis and leaves. Craig Rowe, Leah Charles‑King, and Lee Juggurnauth join (BBC News).
• 2022: Scarlette Douglas leaves the show (Daily Express).
• February 2024: Jonnie Irwin dies at age 50 (BBC News).

The timeline shows a show that has evolved steadily while weathering a profound loss.

“I love helping people find their dream home abroad. It’s why I do this job.”

— Ben Hillman, House Beautiful

“I think it’s important that the BBC is transparent about pay.”

— Fiona Bruce, The One Show

For fans of A Place in the Sun, the show’s future lies in its newer presenters. With Craig Rowe, Leah Charles‑King, and Lee Juggurnauth bringing fresh energy, the programme continues to evolve. But the loss of Jonnie Irwin remains a defining moment. For viewers, the choice is clear: embrace the new faces, or cherish the memories of the old.

For an updated look at the full lineup, including recent additions, see our guide to the current A Place in the Sun presenters.

Frequently asked questions