Alan Titchmarsh
Alan Titchmarsh
Alan Fred Titchmarsh, MBE, DLis an English gardener, presenter, and novelist. After working as a professional gardener and a gardening journalist, he established himself as a media personality through appearances on gardening programmes. He has developed a diverse writing and broadcasting career...
ProfessionNovelist
Date of Birth2 May 1949
years worry people
I don't like people being rude. Bad manners and arrogance make me cross. People making others feel uncomfortable. And I really don't like it in restaurants when people are rude or patronising to waiters. I feel like saying, 'They're not your slave'. But my knees only shake around once every five years. You're safe, don't worry.
school years names
At school I was called Fred, which is my middle name. At that time, Fred was considered to be a bit of a horrible name, so that's why. Otherwise, I was called Titchy because I was little. I was still only about 4ft something when I left school. I grew a foot under glass in my first year as a gardener. It's really quite amazing what sun and manure can do.
fall years lovely
Julia Roberts was really rather lovely. I had to interview her on Pebble Mill At One years ago. You learn not to be starstruck if you're trying to get a decent interview out of someone. If you fall apart it's counter productive.
nice years ideas
I get nice letters, but really I have no idea. I just try to enthuse people. You've been married for 31 years.
dip people
I like to think of it as something that people can dip in and out of.
basis daily finding good names
I use it on a daily basis - very good for finding names and things like that.
book useful
At least you will know how useful the book has been.
fun good life
That's why life is so much fun and I have such a good time.
thinking
Always take much less than you think you'll need.
ancient ancient-history
I love Paris for its wide boulevards and cafes, and Rome for the ancient history, as seen at the Forum.
home blow jewels
I love Chatsworth, Winchester Cathedral, Edinburgh Castle... Every time I'm in the vicinity of something old and worth looking at, I try to go. You don't even have to leave your home town to see some places. How many Londoners have seen the crown jewels? Not many, and they'll blow you away, I promise.
fun school reason
It's never much fun at school - it's just dates. Then as you get older, for some reason, you get more interested.
lonely dad nice
I was very inventive. I lived in my own world - my dad said I was a loner. Not lonely, just happy in my own company. It's the same now. I need time alone, which is maybe why I love to write. Having said that, I love the sociability of telly. It's a nice contrast.
thinking car racing
I think I was always realistic - well, not the Percy thing, that was ridiculous - but I never dreamed of being a racing car driver or anything.