FOR two decades A Place in the Sun has hooked daytime TV viewers with its sunny escapism and endless supply of property porn.
And while host Laura Hamilton calls it her dream job and loves it just as much as its biggest fans, she says it’s not quite as glam as they might expect.
In an exclusive interview with The Celeb Report, the TV star lifted the lid on life behind the cameras.
Speaking after filming a day’s house-hunting in Spain, she said: “We’ve had a full on three days, we’ve been leaving at 8am and I’m not even back at the hotel yet, and it’s 7 o’clock here.
“It’s been 41 degrees [laughs], so it’s been quite full on. Even though we’re working – we’re filming, we’re standing outside in the sun and we have to turn the air conditioning off because it affects the sound – I’m still getting to travel and see different places and explore, which is what I love.
“Anyone who works in television will know that TV is not glamorous, but it’s fun and that’s the most important thing of all right. Who cares about it being luxurious?”
The Channel 4 programme features property experts trying to find Brit couples their dream homes abroad.
House-hunting can be stressful at the best of times so it’s little wonder that some couple’s crack under the pressure.
But Laura relishes the challenge of finding homes within their budget as well as bringing the best out of the couples.
She said: “I am a people person. I love each week meeting a different couple, learning about them, their lives, their story, and yes, there are some couples who are more chatty than others, but I see that as a challenge. That’s my job to make them feel comfortable on camera and try and get them to have fun.
“There will always be couples who have disagreements on a property and they will go away and they sit down and talk things through together. The only difference is we’re filming it.”
Away from the show, Laura likes to keep fit and regularly wows her 133,000 followers on Instagram with her glam wardrobe and athletic figure.
Even though she’s constantly travelling, she makes sure to exercise and eat healthily.
“I’ve brought my skipping rope with me this week” she said. “I do like to try and go to hotel gyms. I’m on my feet all day, and I really enjoy the great Mediterranean food, loads of vegetables and olive oil, so I think when it’s your life you just have to adapt to it and try and follow a healthy lifestyle whether I’m at home or away.”
Mum-of-two Laura has also been a supporter of charity Action for Children, which helps vulnerable young people and their families in the UK, for the best part of a decade.
She is backing its Boycott Your Bed campaign alongside the likes of magician Dynamo and Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice.
Taking place on Friday, the event requires participants to think of, and sleep in, the most unusual place possible.
Once signed up they can then enjoy a night of virtual entertainment including live magic, a Horrible Histories themed quiz, a dance masterclass and even a bedtime story from Laura.
The whole night will be hosted by Towie’s Lydia Bright and singer Jake Quickenden.
Laura said: “I think it’s a great fundraiser. I love the idea.
“Over my years of travel I’ve slept in some weird and wacky places: a beach in Sri Lanka, with Bedouin monks in a tent in Morocco, I grew up camping and caravanning with my mum and dad. It’s great for people to be creative and have fun with it.
Visit www.boycottyourbed.co.uk for more information.
