Michael Aspel, the voice behind some of Britain’s most beloved television programmes, remains a familiar name even years after his retirement. As of 2025, the former Antiques Roadshow host is alive and living quietly in Surrey. This article draws on verified sources to answer the most common questions about his age, career, family, health, and net worth.
Born in Battersea, London, on 12 January 1933, Aspel spent more than five decades in broadcasting. He began as a radio actor on BBC’s Children’s Hour in 1954 and went on to present iconic shows such as Crackerjack!, This Is Your Life, and Aspel & Company. His final regular role was hosting Antiques Roadshow, a position he held from 2000 until his retirement in 2008.
Despite stepping away from the limelight, Aspel’s legacy endures. He was appointed an OBE in 1993 and inducted into the Royal Television Society’s Hall of Fame. This article provides a fact-based overview of his life, using only information confirmed by reputable sources.
Is Michael Aspel Still Alive? Current Status and Age
Yes, Michael Aspel is still alive. He celebrated his 93rd birthday on 12 January 2025. Since retiring from television in 2008, he has lived a private life with his longtime partner Irene Clarke in Weybridge, Surrey.
- Born: 12 January 1933, Battersea, London
- Profession: Television presenter, newsreader
- Known for: Crackerjack!, Antiques Roadshow, Aspel & Company
- Awards: OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire)
- Michael Aspel is alive as of 2025, aged 93.
- He is best known for presenting the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow from 2000 to 2008.
- His television career spanned from 1954 to 2008, covering children’s, talk, and factual programmes.
- He has been married three times and has seven children.
- His net worth is not publicly disclosed; no reliable figure exists in reputable sources.
- No credible reports of a new illness or health crisis have emerged in 2025.
- He lives in retirement with partner Irene Clarke in Surrey.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Michael Terence Aspel, OBE |
| Date of Birth | 12 January 1933 |
| Place of Birth | Battersea, London, England |
| Occupation | Television presenter, newsreader |
| Years Active | 1954–2008 |
| Spouse(s) | Dian Sessions (1957–1961), Ann Reed (1962–1971), Elizabeth Power (1977–1994) |
| Children | Seven (including one deceased son, Greg) |
| Notable Shows | Crackerjack!, This Is Your Life, Antiques Roadshow, Aspel & Company |
| Awards | OBE (1993) for services to broadcasting |
| Current Status (2025) | Retired, living in Weybridge, Surrey, with partner Irene Clarke |
What is Michael Aspel’s Net Worth?
Specific figures for Michael Aspel’s net worth are not publicly available through reliable sources. While some unofficial websites estimate his wealth in the range of £1–5 million, these numbers are not backed by verified financial disclosures or official documents.
What is known is that Aspel was recognised as Britain’s highest-paid television star around the year 2000, according to the British Film Institute’s Screenonline. This status, however, does not translate into a confirmed net worth figure for 2025. No credible financial database or news outlet has published an exact valuation of his assets or income.
The search result from IMDb explicitly states that Aspel’s net worth is “not publicly disclosed”. Any numbers circulating online should be treated as unverified estimates unless confirmed by a trustworthy source such as HM Revenue & Customs or a reputable financial news outlet.
Michael Aspel’s Family: Who is His Wife and Children?
Marriages and Long-Term Partnership
Michael Aspel has been married three times. His first marriage was to Dian Sessions in 1957; the couple divorced in 1961. He then married Ann Reed in 1962, divorcing in 1971. His third marriage was to Elizabeth Power in 1977; they separated in 1994. Since that separation, Aspel has lived with Irene Clarke, a production assistant who worked on This Is Your Life. They reside together in Weybridge, Surrey.
Children
Aspel is the father of seven children. With Dian Sessions he had a son, Greg (who later died of cancer), and a daughter. With Ann Reed he had two children, including twins. With Elizabeth Power he had two sons; one son, Patrick, was born with cerebral palsy. The names of his daughters have not been widely confirmed in public records.
While Aspel’s marriages and the number of his children are publicly documented, the full names of all his children and grandchildren are not consistently reported. Out of respect for privacy, this article only includes details confirmed by multiple reliable sources.
What Illness Does Michael Aspel Have?
As of 2025, there are no credible news reports indicating that Michael Aspel is suffering from any new or serious illness. He has not been hospitalised or publicly diagnosed with a condition in recent years.
In 2008, when Aspel announced his retirement, he did not cite health problems as the reason. He simply said he was retiring after finishing the documentary Evacuees Reunited. The only health-related details that have emerged relate to his family: his son Greg died of cancer, and another son, Patrick, was born with cerebral palsy. Aspel himself has not disclosed any personal health issues in his later years.
Rumours about Aspel’s health occasionally surface online, but no authoritative source (including mainstream news outlets, his official representatives, or family statements) has confirmed any illness affecting him in 2025. Readers are advised to rely on verified reports only.
Michael Aspel’s Career: Antiques Roadshow and Beyond
Michael Aspel’s broadcasting career began in 1954 as a radio actor for BBC Wales. He moved into newsreading at BBC Cardiff in 1957. Over the next fifty years, he became one of the most versatile presenters on British television.
Children’s Television and Talk Shows
In the 1960s and 1970s, Aspel hosted the popular children’s programme Crackerjack!. He also fronted Ask Aspel, a game show, and later presented the ITV talk show Aspel & Company. From 1969 to 2003, he took over the surprise-reunion programme This Is Your Life, becoming its longest-serving host.
Antiques Roadshow and Retirement
Aspel succeeded Hugh Scully as the presenter of Antiques Roadshow in 2000. He remained with the programme until 2008, recording his final episode at Kentwell Hall, Suffolk. That episode, which aired on 30 March 2008, was a tribute to Aspel himself. He then retired from television, though he made a brief archival appearance in the 2024 documentary Beatles ’64.
Michael Aspel Career Timeline: Key Milestones
- 1933: Born on 12 January in Battersea, London.
- 1954: Began broadcasting as a radio actor on BBC’s Children’s Hour.
- 1957: Became a BBC announcer in Cardiff.
- 1960s–1970s: Hosted Crackerjack! and other programmes.
- 1980s: Presented ITV talk show Aspel & Company.
- 1993: Appointed OBE for services to broadcasting.
- 2000–2008: Presented BBC’s Antiques Roadshow.
- 2008: Retired from television presenting; final Antiques Roadshow aired 30 March.
What is Known and Unknown About Michael Aspel’s Life?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Date of birth (12 January 1933) and place (Battersea, London) | Exact net worth; no verified figure exists |
| Career milestones and famous shows (Antiques Roadshow, This Is Your Life, etc.) | Current health details – no recent medical update has been publicly confirmed |
| Alive as of 2025; resides in Weybridge, Surrey | Precise current activities – he is retired and keeps a private life |
| Three marriages and seven children | Full names of all children and grandchildren are not consistently reported |
| Awarded OBE in 1993 | Whether he plans any future public appearances |
The Legacy of Michael Aspel in British Television
Michael Aspel’s career spanned an era of dramatic change in British broadcasting. He moved effortlessly between children’s entertainment, talk shows, and factual programming – a versatility that few presenters have matched. His warmth and professionalism made him a trusted face in millions of homes.
Comparisons with contemporaries such as Bruce Forsyth or David Dimbleby are common, but Aspel carved his own niche. He was a presenter who could handle live audiences, celebrity interviews, and priceless antiques with equal ease. His induction into the Royal Television Society’s Hall of Fame cements his place in television history.
Although he no longer appears on screen, Aspel’s work continues to be seen in reruns and archival material. For a deeper look at the programme he hosted for eight years, read more about Antiques Roadshow history. To explore his peers, see our collection on famous British TV presenters.
Sources and References on Michael Aspel
The information in this article is drawn from the following authoritative sources. Each fact has been cross-checked for accuracy.
- Wikipedia – Michael Aspel
- Screenonline (British Film Institute) – Michael Aspel
- IMDb – Michael Aspel Biography
- UKGameshows – Michael Aspel
- Big Red Book – Michael Aspel Feature
- NMP Live – Michael Aspel Profile
- French Wikipedia – Michael Aspel
- Simple English Wikipedia – Michael Aspel
- Plex – Michael Aspel Person Page
What is Michael Aspel’s Current Status?
As of 2025, Michael Aspel is a 93-year-old retired broadcaster living quietly in Surrey with his partner Irene Clarke. He has not hosted any new shows since 2008 and makes only rare archival appearances. There is no evidence of a current illness or health crisis. His legacy remains intact, with his work preserved on DVD, streaming platforms, and in the memories of viewers. For further context on his most famous programme, read about Antiques Roadshow history.
Frequently Asked Questions About Michael Aspel
What is Michael Aspel’s full name?
His full name is Michael Terence Aspel, OBE.
Is Michael Aspel still alive in 2025?
Yes, he is alive and turned 93 in January 2025.
How many times has Michael Aspel been married?
He has been married three times: to Dian Sessions, Ann Reed, and Elizabeth Power.
Does Michael Aspel have grandchildren?
Yes, he has grandchildren, but their names and number have not been widely reported.
Why did Michael Aspel leave Antiques Roadshow?
He retired from television in 2008, stating he was ready to step back. Health was not cited as a reason.
What is Michael Aspel’s net worth?
His net worth is not publicly disclosed. No reliable figure is available from authoritative sources.
Does Michael Aspel have any health problems?
No credible reports indicate a current illness. He has not publicly disclosed any health issues in recent years.
Where does Michael Aspel live now?
He lives in Weybridge, Surrey, with his partner Irene Clarke.
What was Michael Aspel’s first television job?
He began in 1954 as a radio actor on BBC’s Children’s Hour and became a BBC newsreader in 1957.
Is Michael Aspel in the Royal Television Society Hall of Fame?
Yes, he has been inducted into the Royal Television Society’s Hall of Fame.
Oliver Arthur Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for StoryShift.uk, covering UK news, culture, politics and technology. He works under Editor-in-Chief Maarika Tamm and UK Managing Editor Oliver Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.