Alan Titchmarsh has confessed to crying alone in his room during a difficult period in his life, revealing he never told anyone about his struggles. The beloved TV presenter opened up during a repeat episode of ITV's Love Your Weekend, which aired on July 5, 2026.
Titchmarsh's Childhood Bullying
The West Yorkshire-born television personality, best known for BBC's Gardener's World and Ground Force, shared that he was bullied as a child. 'I was small at school and pushed around,' he said. 'I never told anyone. Well, my parents obviously knew.' He recounted how he would withdraw to his bedroom to weep alone.
Looking back, Titchmarsh reflected: 'You know, it's part of growing up, and we can't shield children from everything. There's no excuse for bullying at all. But, yeah, I was bullied, and if you can find something you love and come to terms with who you are. I was a classic late developer.'
Conversation with Jake Humphrey
The episode, originally from February 2025, featured guests Joanna Page and Jake Humphrey. Humphrey, who started in children's TV before covering F1 and Premier League for BBC and BT Sport, now runs the High Performance brand. He admitted he 'was never sporty' and argued that 'resilience' is key to success.
Humphrey revealed he contacted a psychiatrist about his mental health, who urged him not to dismiss his thoughts. The conversation turned to anxiety, with Titchmarsh noting: 'But we all have anxieties...we always will.'
Guidance for Others
Titchmarsh offered advice: 'You need enablers in life who say you know what you should have a go at. I started as an apprentice gardener, and here I am now with a chat show.' The show airs next Sunday at 9.30am on ITV and streams on ITVX.
