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HOMES Under the Hammer star Martin Roberts is ignoring doctors' advice to take it easy after being just three hours from death - and is ploughing on with a stressful pub renovation.

The BBC star, 61, spoke candidly to The Sun about how he is "even more driven" now after almost not making it through.

Martin Roberts has revealed he's ignoring doctors to renovate his Welsh boozer
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Martin Roberts has revealed he's ignoring doctors to renovate his Welsh boozerCredit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun
He told how he is 'even more determined' to make the project a success after almost dying
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He told how he is 'even more determined' to make the project a success after almost dyingCredit: Dan Jones Images
The Homes Under the Hammer favourite, 61, suffered heart failure two years ago
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The Homes Under the Hammer favourite, 61, suffered heart failure two years agoCredit: BBC

Telly favourite Martin suffered almost-fatal heart failure two years ago after mistaking chest pains for symptoms of long Covid.

His brush with death prompted him to buy a boozer in 2023.

The plucky star didn't even tell his wife he'd splashed the cash on the derelict Hendrewen Hotel and pub in the Rhondda Valley.

Despite the risks, Martin explained his worry that "it could all end tomorrow" underpinned his motivation to get off the sofa and back to work.

read more martin roberts

Speaking to us on behalf of , he said: "I was told to slow down, and not take on and not do anything stressful.

"The thing is, if you are within a close call of dying, it does shift your paradigm on life, because you realise you could die tomorrow.

"I mean we will all die eventually, this is true, but you don't really think it's going to happen too soon.

"So suddenly, in that moment of if you were to die tomorrow, you think, all the things that I want to do, that I haven't achieved yet, how f**king frustrating is that?

"So, rather than me doing what I have been told to do, which is sit in a chair, take it easy, not get stressed, look after my heart, all that kind of stuff,.

"I'm like, I've got to get on with this s**t, because I do not know how long I've got to go, and it could all end tomorrow."

He continued: "It almost did, I was three hours away from death so I am even more driven to do things, not to make me money, because it's certainly not doing that, but to do some good, and to do a community thing, and just to change lives.

"That's what you'll be remembered for, not from having a million pounds in the bank."

Martin then went on to talk about the specifics of the renovation project itself - and how it has sparked a new TV series.

The dilapidated venue is a two hour drive from his Somerset home and, in the new year, ITV will screen the restoration process in a new docuseries.

How to reduce your risk of heart attacks and stroke

You can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke with many of the same methods.

Heart attacks and strokes, althouh affecting different organs of the body, are both what we call cardiovascular events.

Both arise from similar underlying conditions, such as atherosclerosis —a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries.

According to the American Heart Association, the risk factors for heart attacks and strokes are largely the same: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, and diabetes.

Therefore, addressing these risk factors can simultaneously reduce the risk of both conditions.

Here are ways you can prevent the two:

Healthy diet

  • More fruit and veg: The DASH, which emphasises fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, has been shown to reduce blood pressure and improve heart health.
  • Less fats: Too much saturated and trans fats can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of atherosclerosis. Go for healthier fats like those found in olive oil, nuts, and avocados.
  • Limit salt: High salt intake is linked to high blood pressure, a major risk factor for both heart attack and stroke. The NHS recommends no more than 6g of salt per day for adults.
  • Fibre: Foods high in soluble fibre, such as oats and beans, can help lower cholesterol levels.

Exercise

Walking, running, cycling, swimming - whatever you like, do it!

Aerobic exercise can strengthen the heart and improve circulation.

The NHS advises at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week.

Strength training exercises can help control weight, improve cholesterol levels, and reduce blood pressure. It is recommended twice a week by the NHS.

Manage blood pressure

Healthy diet and exercise can help keep your blood pressure in check.

But it is worth monitoring it yourself after the age of 40, at least, when the NHS invites adults for a check-up every five years.

High blood pressure often has no symptoms but significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Quit smoking

One of the best ways to quit smoking is to use resources provided by NHS Smokefree. Support groups, medications, and other tools to help quit smoking such as vapes could be what you need to kick the habit for good - and it's free.

Limit booze

Excessive alcohol consumption can increase blood pressure and contribute to weight gain, which can snowball and become a heart health risk.

The NHS recommends not regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol per week.

He told us: "I've been driven by my heart, and at the same time, my head is going, 'what the absolute bleep have you done here?'

"Every single wall is cock-eyed, every single window is falling down, there is a mountain at the back, which inches its way every day towards your pub, there is a waterfall at the back, which isn't supposed to be a waterfall, that waterfall continues into the cellar.

"Then the the roof's leaking, the bats have their hammocks set there. The little lovelies spend their winter there in peace, so it has proved to be a massive challenge beyond all belief.

"However, it's the biggest and most amazing project of my life that I'm most proud of."

Martin has involved local teens in the project, with young lads working towards construction qualifications by getting their hands dirty on site.

"We teach them, and they walk away, heads held high - a belief in themselves returned - and they also walk away with an industry qualification that's recognised," said Martin.

"As it moves forward, we're going to have kids involved with the running of it.

"So it will help kids and I'm really proud. And we've just heard from ITV that they are going to run it as a documentary series in the new year hopefully.

"It's an emotional, wonderful story."

READ MORE SUN STORIES

Martin's Homes Under The Hammer series runs along a similar theme, and sees him support people while they renovate auction properties.

The BBC One show has proved such popular daytime TV that it has been on air for more than 20 years.

Martin acknowledges that 'it could all end tomorrow'
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Martin acknowledges that 'it could all end tomorrow'Credit: Dan Jones Images
Homes Under the Hammer has been running for more than 20 years
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Homes Under the Hammer has been running for more than 20 yearsCredit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun
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