Channel 4 presenter and A Place In The Sun host Ben Hillman has been a friendly face on our TV screens for many years.
The property expert from West Sussex continues to bring some much-needed sunshine and escapism to our screens as we all imagine living the dream and moving abroad.
Ben Hillman joined the show in 2016, having renovated and built a number of properties in the UK – including his own.
The 47-year-old often spends his free time sketching out new designs or getting stuck in with carpentry, landscaping and gardening. His early TV career saw him on shows like The Renovation Game, 60 Minute Makeover and This Morning.
But what else do we know about Ben Hillman’s life away from TV including his family life and cosy home?
Early life and career of Ben Hillman
Born and raised in Brighton, Hillman studied product and furniture design at Ravensbourne College in London.
After graduating, Ben underwent an internship with michaelsodeau.com before becoming a special projects manager and assistant interiors editor for Wallpaper Magazine.
He then went on to work for The White Company, where he co-ordinated photoshoots and assisted with the design of both their web and brochure photography.
Hillman won ITV’s nationwide search for The Next Big Thing in interior design in 2010 after being shortlisted by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and Michelle Ogundehin. Shortly after this he launched a range of colour changing ambient greetings cards and pioneered the trend for laser cut stationery and was Highly Commended as Gift of The Year 2006.
Years later in 2016, Ben Hillman joined A Place In The Sun where he helps homeowners create their dream home with his expertise.
The interior designer-turned-TV-presenter has been winning audiences over with his energy and charm since then. He boasts a successful career in interior design including self-build projects and innovative home decor creations.
He’s also appeared on shows including The Renovation Game, You Deserve This House, Auction Party and 60 Minute Makeover.
Ben runs an interior design business in Brighton and completed his own self-build project in the heart of the city, facelifting a 1970s purpose-built block of flats.
Who is Ben Hillman married to?
Ben is currently married to NHS worker Gaby after they tied the knot in 2011.
Soon after getting married, the pair welcomed their first child, Hope Blossom before having a second daughter, Honour Willow.
He previously opened up to Express.co.uk about how his wife has been his rock, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.
He said: “I would literally get depressed but Gaby would be like, ‘You need to find something to do with your time’.
“And then as soon as I was onto something else… it was just the distraction which kept me going, so yeah it became really important for me I think.”
Inside Ben Hillman’s home renovation project
Back in 2016, Ben and Gaby bought their 1934 four-bedder in Shoreham-By-Sea, West Sussex, and transformed it into their dream home.
With Ben’s design knowledge, the house was complete with a wraparound extension and a new kitchen. Ben and Gaby were able to make frugal swaps when it came to decorating, saving them thousands.
He added: “I’m a real home bod, I love being around my family and being around my kids, they’re the number one thing in my life.”
Sharing his cost-cutting secrets with the Metro, Ben said: “I had spent so much money on the house [in the past] but lockdown made me reassess what money I’m chucking at it.
“We went from spending £15,000 on a bathroom to £500. But even though it’s super-budget, it’s great and just as pleasing. Lockdown has taught me to be more inventive.”
He said his daughters have picked up a lot of skills from him and they are keen on DIY themselves.