Alan Titchmarsh, the beloved TV presenter known for his gardening shows, has revealed that he struggled with bullying and anxiety in his youth, often retreating to his room to cry alone. He made the admission during a repeat episode of his ITV show Love Your Weekend, which aired on July 5, 2026, featuring a conversation from February 2025.
Opening Up About Past Struggles
Titchmarsh, 76, who hails from West Yorkshire, became a household name as the face of BBC's Gardener's World and Ground Force from the mid-1990s until 2002. He has since hosted numerous gardening and nature programs and authored several books, including memoirs, novels, and poetry. Since 2020, he has presented Love Your Weekend on ITV.
In the episode, Titchmarsh spoke with guest Jake Humphrey, a former children's TV presenter and sports broadcaster who now runs the High Performance brand. Humphrey discussed his own mental health challenges, revealing he once consulted a psychiatrist who advised him not to ignore his thoughts.
Bullying and Resilience
When Humphrey asked if Titchmarsh had faced difficulties, the presenter admitted: "Oh yes, yes. I was small at school and pushed around." He elaborated: "I never told anyone. Well, my parents obviously knew," and described how he would "go to his room and have a cry."
Titchmarsh reflected on the experience, stating: "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."
Advice for Others
Humphrey noted the danger of comparing real lives to others' "edited highlights reels," a sentiment Titchmarsh agreed with, adding: "But we all have anxieties...we always will." 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 episode also featured actress Joanna Page. Another repeat of Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh airs next Sunday at 9:30 am on ITV, with episodes available on ITVX.
