Holed up in our homes for weeks on end now, many Brits have been gaining those extra unwanted pounds thanks to comfort eating and drinking. But not Alan Titchmarsh.
Far from ‘fattening the curve’ like the rest of us, the popular gardener has dropped a stone since lockdown.
‘I’ve actually had to pull my belt in a notch,’ grins the green-fingered star, 71. ‘Since the middle of March I’ve been outdoors gardening every day, it’s been glorious. I’ve been walking between 15-20,000 steps daily, often behind a mower.
Today I’m resenting the fact I’m wearing jeans, not my usual shorts, but the rainfall is money in the bank for the veg so I’m happy.’
Having graced TV screens since the mid 1980s, Yorkshire-born Alan has enjoyed huge TV hits through the years, including Pebble Mill, Ground Force , his eponymous chat show and, more recently, Love Your Garden.
Enviably, his summers are spent gardening, and his winters spent writing. He’s penned 11 novels, multiple gardening columns, and presents on Classic FM.
Always keen to find a positive in any situation, Alan has seized the chance during lockdown ‘to take stock of where I’ve reached and what I want out of life – I’ve remembered how happy I am to be outdoors’.
And what an outdoors he has. Along with his wife Alison, the star is happily ensconced at their Grade II-listed Hampshire home, complete with a cherry orchard, pond, outhouses and four acres of land. It’s no wonder Alan is so trim tending to it.
Viewers of his upcoming show Grow Your Own At Home With Alan Titchmarsh will get to see where he lives, as he made it while in lockdown. What’s more, because of the social distancing rules, instead of employing a camera crew, Alan’s wife Alison was in charge of filming the three-part series.
‘When the idea of the show was mooted, I said to ITV, “Are you sending a cameraman?” And they said, “Oh, we can’t risk that, you’re old and vulnerable”. So they suggested Alison held the camera, and she said, “Alright then”. I think she surprised herself.
‘I was sent videos on how to put the kit together, and set the tripod up, but she had a natural aptitude for it. So to cut a long story short, we had a go, and it worked, despite neither of us being particularly tech-savvy.
‘It’s the first time we’ve ever worked together – and hopefully we’ll still be together by the end!’ laughs Alan.
Sadly, fans won’t catch a glimpse of former dance teacher Alison though. ‘She’s a private person, and has never wanted to do anything on screen. But my worry is that I’ll have a job taking the camera off her now!’
The show is sure to go down well, especially now health and food supply is high on everyone’s agenda. And you don’t need four acres of land like Alan to grow your own veg.
‘Everyone can get involved – whether they have a garden, balcony, or just room for a single pot,’ he insists. ‘Everyone can reap the spiritual and mental benefits of gardening. We’re eating our own asparagus at the moment, which is wonderful.’
Alan and Alison have been wed for 45 years this July, and there is something comfortingly old-fashioned about how he describes his happy marriage.
‘She’s a very tolerant wife, bless her heart,’ smiles Alan. ‘I don’t mean that she can be walked over, not at all. But she’s been encouraging, understanding and the main thing is, we share the same values and the ability to see someone else’s point of view. Alison has always been a very good sounding board, and I hope I’ve done my bit too.
‘I’ve kept a roof over our heads, and been a part of raising a family. I grow the food, she cooks it. Not because I’m chauvinistic, she’s just a good cook and I often don’t have time.’
It seems the division of labour is quite fairly organised in the Titchmarsh household. ‘I take Alison a cup of tea in bed every morning and have for the past 45 years. That’s my job,’ he explains. ‘But she’s ironed all my shirts. That’s love for you.’
Once dubbed the housewives’ favourite who had underwear thrown at him on stage, despite Alan turning 71 last weekend, his army of female fans are not giving up just yet.
‘I did some one-man shows in February and they still seem to be there,’ he chuckles. ‘It’s wonderfully comforting but I try not to be flattered because I know one day somebody will say it was all a big joke.
'People are very kind, but the days of receiving fragrant writing paper are gone. It tends to come by email rather than by letter. Alison doesn’t tease me about it, all she does is raise an eyebrow and the look says it all.’
Not only are Alan and Alison a strong couple, they remain close to their two grown-up daughters Polly, 40, and Camilla, 38, who live locally.
‘I’m very lucky, one’s got two little boys, aged eight and six, and one’s got two little girls, aged seven and five. Catching up with the children and grandchildren is what I am so desperate to do. We’re looking at one another on screen and it’s not the same as a cuddle is it? I miss giving my grandchildren a big hug.’
‘I’m 71 but I don’t feel old and vulnerable,’ insists Alan, who certainly has no plans to retire. There’s one ambition I still have left. I’d love one of my novels to be made into a TV series or a film because they’re very visual and I see them while I write them, but we’ll see.
‘As with anyone my age there are the odd aches and pains but I’ve still got a zest for life. There are days when I get a bit weary, but I just love doing what I do.’
– Grow Your Own at Home With Alan Titchmarsh starts on Monday, May 25 at 8.30pm on ITV
How Alan Titchmarsh spends his Sundays
Up with the lark or lazy lie-in?
I find it very hard to lie in and usually only manage 15 minutes. I don’t need an alarm, I generally get up at half 6. Pretty much all year round. It’s just Alison and me at the moment in lockdown, no cats or dogs or chicken to feed.
Hungover or fresh as a daisy?
Fresh as a daisy. I know what I can drink now without waking up hungover. I’ll usually have a large gin and tonic and maybe a glass of red wine afterwards, but that’s it. My children tease me about the strength of my gin and tonics, I measured it once and indeed found I poured a triple.
Full English fry-up or fruit and muesli?
Either a cooked breakfast, or if we’re having a roast then I’ll just eat porridge for breakfast.
Pub lunch or home roast?
In normal times, our daughters will come round with the grandkids and Alison will do roast chicken, lamb or pork. In the summer we put a table outside in the little cherry orchard and have a glass of rosé under the trees with the food.
Workout or weeding?
I did the gym for a bit, but it bored me rigid so now exercise is always gardening. I walk miles standing behind a mower.
Newspapers or Netflix?
Newspapers take up too much time on the weekend.
We enjoy TV in the evening, we’ve discovered Gavin And Stacey so we’re catching up on that and loving it.
I can’t get through my Sundays without...
Seeing the family. It’s very much a family day.