Alan Titchmarsh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alan Titchmarsh
CBE DL VMH HonFSE
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Titchmarsh in 2007
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| Born |
Alan Fred Titchmarsh
2 May 1949 Ilkley, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
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| Education | Hertfordshire College of Agriculture and Horticulture Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew |
| Occupation | Broadcaster, gardener, novelist, poet |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Television | Gardeners' World (1996–2002) Ground Force (1997–2002) Alan Titchmarsh Show (2007–2014) Popstar to Operastar (2010) Love Your Garden (2011–present) |
| Spouse(s) |
Alison Titchmarsh
(m. 1975) |
| Children | 2 |
Alan Fred Titchmarsh (born 2 May 1949) is a famous English gardener, author, and TV presenter. He started his career as a professional gardener and writer about plants. Later, he became a popular face and voice on radio and television. He has also written many books, including novels and poetry.
Contents
How Did Alan Titchmarsh Start His Career?
Alan Fred Titchmarsh was born on 2 May 1949 in Ilkley, England. His father was a plumber and his mother worked in a textile mill. Alan left school at 15 with one qualification in Art.
In 1964, he began working as an apprentice gardener for Ilkley Council. He also took classes to learn more about horticulture, which is the science of growing plants.
Alan's Education in Gardening
Alan continued his studies at the Hertfordshire College of Agriculture and Horticulture. In 1969, he went to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, a very famous garden, to get a special diploma in horticulture.
After finishing his studies, he worked at Kew for two years. He was a gardens supervisor, in charge of training other staff. In 1974, he decided to become a gardening journalist. He started writing his own gardening books. His first book, Starting With Houseplants, came out in 1976.
Alan Titchmarsh on TV and Radio
Alan Titchmarsh began his broadcasting career in 1977. He was a gardening expert on BBC Radio 4 shows like You and Yours. In 1988, he hosted a gardening show called A House in a Garden on BBC Radio 2.
Early TV Appearances
Alan first appeared on BBC television shows like Nationwide as a plant expert. This led to him presenting the famous Chelsea Flower Show for the BBC in 1983. He hosted this show every year until 2013.
From 1986 to 1996, Alan hosted other BBC talk shows like Open Air and Pebble Mill. In 1991, he presented a series called Titchmarsh's Travels. In this show, he explored Britain and Ireland.
Gardening Shows and Nature Documentaries
In 1996, Alan became the host of Gardeners' World. This popular show was even filmed in his own garden! A year later, in 1997, he hosted Ground Force on BBC One. In this show, he and his team, including Charlie Dimmock and Tommy Walsh, would transform gardens.
After Gardeners' World, Alan presented two series of How To Be A Gardener. He also presented Songs of Praise and two BBC nature shows: British Isles - A Natural History and The Nature of Britain.
Alan even voiced the main character in a cartoon series for the CBeebies channel called Gordon the Garden Gnome.
Later TV and Radio Work
Alan hosted 20th Century Roadshow in 2005. He also performed at the Queen's 80th birthday party in 2006. From 2007 to 2014, he hosted his own afternoon chat show on ITV, called The Alan Titchmarsh Show. He also had a regular show on BBC Radio 2.
In 2010, Alan presented Popstar to Operastar. From 2011 to 2023, he hosted the gardening show Love Your Garden. He left Radio 2 in 2011 and has hosted a show on Classic FM since 2012.
Alan has continued to present many shows. These include The Queen's Garden (2014), Britain's Best Back Gardens (2015), and Secrets of the National Trust (2017). In 2024, a funny story came out that his jeans were censored on North Korean TV! Alan thought it gave him "street cred."
Alan Titchmarsh as a Writer
Alan Titchmarsh has been writing for newspapers and magazines for over 50 years. He has written more than 70 books! His first book was published in 1979.
In 1998, he started writing fiction with his first novel, Mr MacGregor. He has now written a dozen novels. Some of his other books include Trowel & Error (2002), which was about his own life, and When I Was A Nipper (2010). He also has a series of gardening guides called the How to Garden series.
Alan Titchmarsh's Personal Life
Alan Titchmarsh married Alison in 1975, and they have two children. In 2002, they moved into an old Georgian farmhouse in Hampshire with a large garden. He also has a home on the Isle of Wight.
Alan is a bell ringer. In 2011, he rang bells to celebrate the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. He also helps plant trees in London to make cities greener.
Alan Titchmarsh and the Arts
Since the 1980s, Alan has been involved in the performing arts. He has worked with orchestras and ballet companies as a presenter. He has also hosted many concerts at famous venues like the Royal Albert Hall.
In 2014, he acted in a Royal Ballet production of 'The Wind in the Willows'. He also presented the BBC Proms, a series of classical music concerts, for three years. Alan has written poems and lyrics for music albums, which have topped the Classical Music Charts.
Supporting the Environment
Alan Titchmarsh cares a lot about protecting the environment and countryside. He supports farming methods that are good for nature. He believes that growing food should be a priority and that land should not always be used for things like solar panels.
Between 2001 and 2011, Alan and his wife ran 'Alan Titchmarsh's Gardens for Schools'. This charity gave money to primary schools in the UK to create gardens and nature areas. He is still a big supporter of school gardening.
Awards and Honours for Alan Titchmarsh
Alan Titchmarsh has received many awards for his work.
- In 2000, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to gardening and broadcasting.
- In 2025, he was promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his work in gardening and charity.
- He has received honorary degrees from several universities.
- In 2004, he received the Royal Horticultural Society's Victoria Medal of Honour. This is the highest award the RHS can give.
- From 2015 to 2022, he was the Chancellor of the University of Winchester.
Images for kids
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Titchmarsh in 2007
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Titchmarsh at the Chelsea Flower Show 2014
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Titchmarsh at the 2008 Gardeners' World Live Exhibition
See Also
In Spanish: Alan Titchmarsh para niños
