Alan Titchmarsh has revealed he was reprimanded by his wife Alison after failing to adhere to their plan to take Fridays and Mondays off following their recent downsizing. The 77-year-old gardener and his wife of 51 years moved from their five-bedroom Grade II listed Georgian home in Hampshire to a single-storey bungalow in Surrey, but Titchmarsh remains as busy as ever with gardening projects.
Speaking to The Times, Titchmarsh said: 'I had a lecture this week from her indoors. She said, “Do you remember when we were going to start taking Fridays and Mondays off? Not really working, is it?”' The couple had decided to downsize to slow down as they age, but Titchmarsh continues to produce content for his YouTube channel and work on other gardening ventures.
The former Gardeners' World presenter also opened up about the emotional toll of leaving the property he had loved for a quarter of a century. 'I love that garden more than I’ve loved anything I’ve ever made,' he said. 'I’ve given it a quarter of a century of love and care. But when we hand over the key and close the gate, I’m not looking back. I can’t.'
Titchmarsh had previously described the move as a 'wrench' but insisted he is not retiring. 'Looking after four acres and a Grade-II listed house has been - and still is - a treat beyond measure, but the day will come when it starts to be overwhelming, and I'd rather move on to fresh pastures before that becomes the case,' he told BBC Gardeners' World Magazine last year.
Despite the move, Titchmarsh remains active, including collaborating with King Charles, David Beckham, and Frances Tophill on a garden for the Chelsea Flower Show. He said: 'Curiosity is really the beginning of any gardening journey – and certainly that’s how I began my career – so I hope this work inspires a new generation of gardeners.'
