Before Martin Lewis became the money expert we all know and love, he had a surprisingly different career.
The television star, 52, is one of the most recognised figures on our screens and has helped thousands of Brits save money, from taking on uncapped energy bills to student finance. But the Money Saving Expert didn't always dream of a role in banking and once made a living by making people laugh.
Away from work, the broadcaster is married to TV and weather presenter Lara Lewington and they share a young daughter, who Martin dubs his 'mini MSE' because she knows a thing or two about being savvy. As his Money Show airs on ITV1 tonight, we take a look at Martin's family and bold career move...
The couple tied the knot in 2009 and share a daughter (PA)
Lara is a successful TV presenter and tech journalist (PA)Stand-up career
Before he became the nation's economic hero, Martin had a surprising career in comedy. Rewinding to his university days, Martin became friends with comedian Gary Delaney while he was General Secretary of the Students' Union at the London School of Economics.
Gary, who went on to appear on Mock the Week and Dave's One Night Stand, wrote jokes for Martin because he was too nervous to perform himself. Writing on his blog in May 2006, Martin explained: "We were always mates, so much so that when I decided to try my hand at doing stand-up the next year, Gary wrote for me, as frankly, he's one of the naturally funniest people I've met.
Martin Lewis’ MSE website shares tip to get free £175 and 7% interest on savings
"At uni he was always the funny one, yet I was much more comfortable with a microphone, hence why I did the comedy and he wrote. My comedy 'career' was great fun, but by no means my calling, though it did teach me a huge amount. Yet in the end, real talent will out, and Gary put his nerves behind him and has ended up a superb comic."
Famous wife
Martin's wife is television presenter Danielle Lara Lewington, 45. The couple have been happily married since 2009 and share a daughter. In the early days of their relationship, Martin and Lara would hire a motorbike on holiday and sing songs in the sun - but after becoming parents, Lara banned Martin from getting on a motorbike again.
Having spent six years at Channel 5 as a weather presenter and showbiz correspondent, Lara featured in a weekly sketch on ITV1's The Impressionable Jon Culshaw. She was a panellist on ITV1's Win, Lose or Draw and has made appearances on Newsnight, Big Brother's Big Mouth, The Weakest Link and BBC's Let's Dance for Sports Relief.
Lara is passionate about health and technology, particularly AI, which she often provides commentary for on shows such as ITV's Lorraine. She currently co-presents BBC's Click and is also Women's magazine columnist.
She has been slammed by trolls for being attracted to Martin for his money - but he's shut down these claims. "I know you think it's a joke, but actually it's offensive both to me and my wife - you're accusing her of being a gold digger," he responded to an offensive tweet in 2020. And indeed, Lara concentrates on her own successful career at the BBC.
The couple's little girl was born in 2012 and is called Sapphire Susan Lewis (Instagram)
Martin said one of his greatest joys in life is making his daughter happy (Samir Hussein/WireImage)Family life
Martin and Lara are parents to Sapphire Susan Lewis, who was born in 2012. After the birth of their first child, Martin wrote a special blog about his newborn daughter and said, "while she weighs a wee 6lb 60z, her weight in joy is immeasurable".
Martin confessed that Sapphire had him wrapped around her little finger. He told The Sunday Times in 2020: "When my daughter was born, I remember saying: 'I'll buy her everything she needs, but not everything she wants'. Unfortunately, I didn't factor in her special power. Those eyes."
Martin has said that one of his "greatest joys is making her happy" and whatever goes on at work, he makes sure to finish at 6pm, so he can spend some time with his little girl before putting her to bed. And it seems the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, as he's already nicknamed Sapphire 'Mini Money Saving Expert'.
He tweeted a couple of years ago: "Mini MSE (age 7) said to me smiling tonight, having got some fruit from the fridge, 'Daddy these grapes are a day over their best-before date, but I know I can eat them still because they're not use buy, and they still look ok.' I'm very proud. What a chip off the old block :)."
- The Martin Lewis Money Show Live returns tonight for a summer special on ITV1 at 8pm.
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