It happens every few months. You’re scrolling through Facebook or a news aggregator and a headline jumps out at you, claiming a Love It or List It star dies or has met some tragic end. It’s a gut-punch. If you’ve spent any rainy Sunday afternoon marathon-watching Hilary Farr and David Visentin bicker over open-concept floor plans and "must-have" en-suites, you feel like you know them. They’re basically part of the family at this point.
But here’s the thing: social media is a weird, often dishonest place.
Most of the time, these "breaking news" alerts are nothing more than clickbait scams designed to steal your data or farm engagement. It’s frustrating. It’s actually kinda cruel to the fans and the families involved. If you came here looking for the name of a lead host who passed away recently, you can breathe a sigh of relief. As of 2026, the core duo that made the franchise a global phenomenon—Hilary Farr and David Visentin—are very much alive.
However, the "Love It or List It" family is huge. It spans multiple countries and spin-offs. And while the main stars are fine, the show has indeed dealt with the loss of people who made the production possible behind the scenes or appeared in specific regional versions.
The Reality of Those Viral Death Hoaxes
Honestly, the internet can be a dumpster fire. You've probably seen those grainy thumbnail images on "suggested articles" at the bottom of a website. They usually show a black-and-white photo of Hilary or David with "RIP" and a candle. It’s a classic tactic. These sites want you to click so they can load fifty ads or, worse, install malware.
They use the phrase Love It or List It star dies because the show has such a massive, loyal following. It’s a numbers game for them. They know if they target a beloved HGTV personality, people will click out of genuine concern.
It’s important to look at the source. If CNN, the BBC, or the official HGTV social media accounts haven't posted about it, it's almost certainly fake. These celebrities are high-profile enough that a death would be major international news. It wouldn't be tucked away on a site called "News-Today-24-Global.xyz."
Remembering the Real Losses in the HGTV Family
While the clickbait is fake, the show has experienced real tragedy within its broader ecosystem. When people search for news about a death related to the show, they might be remembering James Anstey.
James wasn't a host, but he was a vital part of the Love It or List It Australia family. He was a beloved producer who passed away after a brave battle with soft tissue sarcoma. His death hit the Australian production team incredibly hard. Andrew Winter and Neale Whitaker, the hosts of that version, were vocal about their grief.
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It’s these kinds of losses that often get twisted by gossip sites. They take a legitimate piece of sad news about a crew member or a spin-off contributor and rewrite the headline to make it sound like the "main" stars are gone. It’s a bait-and-switch.
Another instance that often confuses fans is when a homeowner featured on the show passes away years after their episode airs. With over 15 seasons of the original show alone, hundreds of families have appeared. Occasionally, news of a former participant’s passing circles back to the show’s name, fueling the rumor mill once again.
Hilary Farr’s Real-Life Health Battle
Part of why these rumors gain traction is that Hilary Farr has been very open about her health in recent years. In 2021, she shared a deeply personal story with People magazine about her 2014 diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a type of breast cancer.
She went through a lumpectomy and later radiation.
Hilary kept it a secret for years. She was filming Love It or List It while undergoing treatment. Think about that for a second. While she was on screen telling a couple that their "forever home" had a cracked foundation and a $20,000 mold problem, she was fighting for her own life. It puts the show's drama into perspective.
When she finally spoke out, it was to encourage women to get regular screenings and to be their own advocates in the healthcare system. Because she talked about cancer and "surviving," the algorithm-driven death hoaxes picked up on those keywords. Suddenly, the fact that she survived was being used to create headlines implying she had died.
Why We Are So Obsessed With These Stars
Why does it matter so much to us? Why do we care if a Love It or List It star dies?
It’s about comfort. HGTV is "comfort food" television. We know the formula. David finds three houses, two are okay, one is perfect but over budget. Hilary finds a load-bearing wall she didn't expect. There’s a heated argument in a dusty kitchen. In the end, there’s a beautiful reveal.
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We’ve watched this play out for over 250 episodes.
We feel a connection to them. David’s dry wit and Hilary’s sophisticated "no-nonsense" attitude are a perfect balance. When we hear a rumor that one of them is gone, it feels like losing a friend who visits us through the TV every week. The scammers know this. They prey on that emotional connection.
The Current Status of the Show
If you're worried about the show ending because of a tragedy, don't be. Change is happening, but it's not due to anyone passing away. In late 2023, Hilary Farr announced she was leaving Love It or List It after 19 seasons.
She basically just felt it was time. She wanted to focus on other projects, like her solo show Tough Love with Hilary Farr, and spend more time with her family. She told Vulture that the show had become a bit like a "well-oiled machine" and she needed a new challenge.
David Visentin is still around, and there has been plenty of talk about how the franchise will evolve. But the departure of a lead host often triggers those "In Memoriam" style fake news stories. People see "Hilary Farr Leaves" and by the time it gets shared ten times on Pinterest, it becomes "Hilary Farr Dies."
How to Spot a Celebrity Death Hoax
You don't want to get fooled again. I get it. It’s annoying to have your day ruined by a fake headline. Here is how you can verify the next time you see a claim that a Love It or List It star dies:
First, check the URL. If it’s not a major news outlet (Variety, Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, People, or a major network), ignore it.
Second, look at the date. Often, these "breaking news" stories are actually old articles from years ago being recycled by bots.
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Third, go straight to the source. Check the star’s Instagram or Twitter. If they posted a photo of their breakfast two hours ago, they’re probably doing just fine. Hilary and David are both active on social media. They usually post behind-the-scenes clips or updates on their current design projects.
Fourth, look for "The Statement." When a major celebrity dies, their family or publicist issues a formal statement to the Associated Press. If you can’t find that statement, the story is a fabrication.
The Impact of Loss on the Production
When a real tragedy happens on a set, it changes everything. While the original Love It or List It has been lucky, other home renovation shows have faced real heartbreak. We saw this with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and Flip or Flop stars facing health crises.
Production usually shuts down. There is a period of mourning. The show often airs a tribute episode.
The fact that Love It or List It continues to air new episodes and marathons without such tributes is the ultimate proof that the "death" rumors are false. The production company, Big Coat Media, is very protective of its cast. They would be the first to honor any member of the team who truly passed away.
Moving Forward as a Fan
It’s okay to be concerned. It shows you’re a fan who cares about the people behind the personalities. But in the world of 2026 media, skepticism is your best friend.
The next time you see a shocking headline about your favorite HGTV host, take a beat. Don't share it immediately. Don't give the clickbaiters the satisfaction of your engagement. Instead, go watch an old episode where David tries to convince a family to move to the suburbs and Hilary discovers a hidden chimney.
The show has given us years of entertainment. The best way to support the stars is to watch their actual work and ignore the "fake news" noise that surrounds them.
Actionable Steps for Concerned Fans
If you want to stay updated on the real status of the Love It or List It cast and avoid the scams:
- Follow Verified Accounts Only: Only trust updates from the blue-check (or current verification symbol) accounts of Hilary Farr, David Visentin, and HGTV.
- Use Google News, Not Social Feeds: If you hear a rumor, search for it on Google News specifically. This filters out most of the "junk" blogs and shows only results from established journalistic entities.
- Report the Clickbait: If you see a fake death announcement on Facebook or X (Twitter), report it as "Misleading" or "Scam." This helps the platform's algorithm eventually bury the post so others aren't fooled.
- Support Official Projects: Instead of clicking on gossip, support Hilary’s Tough Love or David’s real estate ventures. This keeps you connected to their actual careers.
- Check IMDB: For crew members or minor stars, IMDB is the gold standard. They are very quick to update "Date of Death" information with verified sources.
The "Love It or List It" duo has built a legacy that will last for decades in the world of home renovation TV. While the headlines might try to shock you for a few cents of ad revenue, the reality is much less grim. Hilary is busy designing, David is busy selling, and the show—in one form or another—continues to be the background noise of our lives.