Emma Forbes Then and Now: Family, Career and Life After Live & Kicking

Emma Forbes is one of the most recognizable British television presenters of the 1990s. Best known for presenting the hugely popular children’s show Live & Kicking, she became a familiar face to millions of viewers across the UK. Over the years, people have remained curious about her life, from her television success to her family background, husband, children, and what she is doing today.
Although Emma Forbes stepped away from regular mainstream television many years ago, she continues to attract attention because of her famous family, long-lasting marriage, and successful career in entertainment and business.
Quick Bio of Emma Forbes
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Emma Katy Forbes |
| Date of Birth | May 14, 1965 |
| Birthplace | Hammersmith, London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Profession | Television Presenter, Radio Host, Actress |
| Famous For | Presenting Live & Kicking |
| Parents | Bryan Forbes and Nanette Newman |
| Husband | Graham Clempson |
| Children | Lily Clempson and Sam Clempson |
| Sister | Sarah Standing |
| Active Years | 1980s to Present |
Who Is Emma Forbes?
Emma Forbes is an English television presenter and former actress who became famous during the late 1980s and early 1990s. She was born into a well-known entertainment family. Her father, Bryan Forbes, was a respected film director and screenwriter, while her mother, Nanette Newman, was a successful actress.
Growing up in such a creative environment naturally led Emma toward a career in entertainment. However, she did not initially plan to become a television presenter. As a child, she dreamed of becoming a ballerina and trained in dance for many years.
Emma attended the Italia Conti Academy, one of the UK’s best-known performing arts schools. During her early years, she also spent time living in England, France, and the United States because of her parents’ work.
Before becoming famous on television, Emma worked briefly at the Daily Mail and later joined satellite television. That role eventually opened the door to presenting work on children’s television, which made her a household name.
Emma Forbes Young: Early Life and Childhood
When Emma Forbes was young, she lived a privileged but unusual life. Because her parents worked in film and television, she was often surrounded by actors, directors, and celebrities.
Despite this glamorous upbringing, Emma has often described herself as shy during her younger years. She spent much of her childhood dancing, reading, and traveling with her family.
As a teenager, Emma looked very different from the polished television presenter viewers later came to know. In old photographs, she had long blonde hair and a natural style that reflected the late 1970s and early 1980s. Even then, she had a strong interest in fashion and beauty.
Her first major opportunity came when she began appearing on television in small roles and eventually moved into presenting. Her confidence grew quickly, and producers noticed that she had a natural ability to speak comfortably in front of the camera.
Emma Forbes and Live & Kicking
The biggest turning point in Emma Forbes’s career came when she joined Live & Kicking.
Live & Kicking was one of the most popular children’s television shows in Britain during the 1990s. The show launched in 1993 as a replacement for Going Live! and aired on Saturday mornings. It included celebrity interviews, games, cartoons, competitions, and music.
Emma Forbes became one of the main presenters of the show alongside Andi Peters and later John Barrowman. Her friendly personality and warm presenting style made her an instant favorite with audiences.
For many viewers, Emma Forbes became the face of Saturday morning television. She was stylish, confident, and approachable, which made her stand out from other presenters of the time.
During her years on Live & Kicking, Emma became one of the most famous women on British television. The program attracted millions of viewers every week and turned its presenters into major celebrities.
Emma remained on the show until 1996. Even today, many people still remember her primarily because of her work on Live & Kicking. It remains the role most closely associated with her name.
Emma Forbes Movies and TV Shows
Although Emma Forbes is mostly known as a television presenter, she has also appeared in films and television dramas.
Television Shows
Over the years, Emma Forbes appeared in several popular television programs, including:
- Going Live!
- Live & Kicking
- Speakeasy
- What’s My Line?
- The Alan Titchmarsh Show
- This Morning
- Loose Women
She also worked in radio and lifestyle broadcasting, often appearing as a guest host and commentator.
Movies and Acting Roles
Emma had a few acting roles earlier in her career. Her best-known acting credits include:
- International Velvet
- Press Gang
- Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
Although she never focused fully on acting, these appearances showed that she was comfortable both in front of the camera and on stage.
In addition, Emma later provided voice work for the animated children’s series Peppa Pig, where she voiced the character Mummy Hippo.
Emma Forbes Husband
Many fans are curious about Emma Forbes’s husband because her marriage has lasted much longer than most celebrity relationships.
Emma Forbes has been married to Graham Clempson since 1987. Graham works in banking and has largely stayed away from the public eye.
The couple married before Emma became hugely famous on television. Because of that, their relationship has remained stable and private despite the pressures of celebrity life.
Emma has occasionally spoken about how important family life has been to her. She has said that Graham’s support allowed her to manage the demands of television while raising children.
Unlike many celebrity couples, Emma and Graham have rarely appeared in the media together. They prefer to keep their personal life private and out of the spotlight.
Their long-lasting marriage is often seen as one of the strongest in British television circles.
Who Is Emma Forbes’s Sister?
Emma Forbes’s sister is Sarah Standing.
Sarah is a journalist, writer, and screenwriter. Although she is not as famous as Emma, she has had a successful career in media and publishing.
The sisters have always been close. In fact, they even worked together on a business venture. During a break from television, Emma and Sarah opened a children’s shop in Belgravia, London.
The boutique became popular with wealthy families and celebrities because it sold stylish children’s clothing and gifts. Their partnership showed that the two sisters shared similar interests in fashion, business, and family life.
Emma has often spoken warmly about Sarah and has said that family remains one of the most important parts of her life.
Emma Forbes Net Worth
Emma Forbes’s exact net worth has never been officially confirmed. However, it is believed that she has built a comfortable fortune through her television work, advertising deals, and business projects.
Most estimates place Emma Forbes’s net worth somewhere between £2 million and £5 million.
A large part of her earnings came from her years as a television presenter. At the height of her fame in the 1990s, she was one of the most recognizable faces on British television.
She also appeared in advertisements, including campaigns for beauty and haircare brands. These commercial deals likely added significantly to her income.
In addition, Emma earned money through radio presenting, magazine appearances, business ventures, and voice acting.
Because she comes from a successful family and has maintained a long career in media, Emma Forbes has enjoyed a financially stable lifestyle for many years.
Who Is Emma Forbes’s Daughter?
Emma Forbes’s daughter is Lily Clempson.
Lily was born in 1996, around the time Emma was leaving Live & Kicking. Emma has often said that becoming a mother changed her priorities and influenced her decision to step back from full-time television.
Emma and her husband Graham also have a son named Sam Clempson, who was born a few years later.
Unlike her mother, Lily has mostly stayed out of the public eye. Emma has always been protective of her children’s privacy and rarely shares details about their lives.
However, she has occasionally spoken about how much she enjoys being a mother and how family life became more important to her than fame.
Emma Forbes Now
So, what is Emma Forbes doing now?
Today, Emma Forbes lives a quieter life than she did during her television career. Although she no longer appears regularly on major TV shows, she still works occasionally in media.
Emma has appeared on talk shows, radio programs, and lifestyle features over the years. She has also been involved in charity work, especially supporting Great Ormond Street Hospital.
In recent years, she has become more interested in wellness, interiors, family life, and lifestyle projects. She occasionally appears in interviews where she reflects on her years in television and shares memories of Live & Kicking.
Emma remains popular with fans who grew up watching her. Many people still remember her as one of the defining faces of 1990s British television.
At the same time, she has successfully built a happy and private life away from the spotlight with her husband and children.
Emma Forbes may no longer be on television every Saturday morning, but her place in British pop culture remains secure. Her career, family life, and long-lasting popularity continue to make her an interesting figure.
For readers who enjoy learning more about famous television personalities and their lives, Globe Gist continues to explore the stories behind some of the biggest names in entertainment. Emma Forbes remains one of the most memorable presenters of her generation, and her journey from child of movie stars to beloved TV host is still fascinating today.
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