Gardening icon Alan Titchmarsh has opened up on what he called his “dull” upbringing in Yorkshire as he recalled a comment from his late father that summed up his outlook on life. The former Gardeners’ World presenter, 76, was born in Ilkley, just outside of Bradford, West Yorkshire, shortly after the end of the Second World War.
Alan went on to describe how he thinks his “dull” upbringing gave him a “good grounding” to have a successful life and career.
Speaking to Lessons From Our Mothers podcast, the TV gardener said: “I think I grew up with a strong sense of when I had a family, wanting to look after my wife, children in the same way my mum and dad looked after us. Giving us a stable, often quite dull. Sundays were often very boring looking back, you’ve got to go and see granny or go for a walk, which I did like.
“So it wasn’t spectacular but on reflection, the grounding it gave you as a child was quite good.”
The dad-of-two went on to say that “you never dared say” you were bored or your parents would find chores for you to carry out.
Alan also thinks his upbringing has served him well in life as it has taught him to appreciate his own company.
He said that while his TV and radio work is “quite sociable”, his writing is “solitary” but he is “comfortable” in his own company which he thinks stems from his upbrining.
The TV star said: “My dad also said I was a ‘loner, but never lonely’. I need that time on my own, in our business you see a lot of people going around with an entourage, and they’re never alone.
“That would drive me nuts. I’m happy with my wife and my children and my grandchildren, I love being with them but the counterpoint to that is solitude as opposed to loneliness.”
It comes after Alan made a poignant end of life confession as he made a huge decision.
He made an emotional confession about reaching the end of his life as he admitted he has to downsize his home as its garden will be too large for him to look after in his advancing years. The £3.9million Georgian mansion he shares with wife Alison has been on the market since September, and now the horticulturalist has opened up about the real reason behind the decision.
Alan bought the incredible property in 2002. It lies in Holybourne, near Alton, Hants, and dates back to 1960 – though over the years, Alan has carried out extensive renovation work. He explained to BBC Gardeners’ World magazine: “So why go? Well… it’s time. Time to downsize – a little – as those of us in relatively senior years are regularly told we would be wise to do.”
He added: “The day will come when it starts to be overwhelming and I’d rather move on to fresh pastures before that becomes the case.”
Alan has two daughters – Polly, 45, and Camilla, 43 – while he also has four grandchildren.
Catch Alan on Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh on ITV at 9.30am this morning (Sunday, January 4).