Celebrity gardener Alan Titchmarsh says ‘we can all make a difference to refugees' lives’

Alan Titchmarsh is best known as a gardener and TV presenter but he also writes romantic novels and poetry.

He is a man of many passions. The TV star, who lives in Hampshire, near Alton, is giving a talk ‘Prose, Poetry and Stories and a bit of gardening,’ at the John Stripe Theatre at the University of Winchester on Monday November 13, at 7pm.

It’s all in a good cause. Proceeds of ticket sales will go to Southampton and Winchester Visitors’ Group (SWVG) which befriends and gives practical support to destitute refugees and asylum seekers living locally.

“I think it is important to support local charities,” said the 68-year-old who earlier in the day had visited the Trinity Centre for the homeless in Winchester. “I will endeavour to be entertaining – and entertained. There is a question and answer session, so people can get their own back!”

Interestingly, the gardening guru has hit the headlines over the years for his outspoken political views. In one national newspaper he was described as an admirer of former UKIP leader Nigel Farage but Alan said he was misreported. “I said I could understand why he captured the public’s imagination. He articulated a lot of peoples’ thoughts. But I didn’t vote for Brexit. I think we should all stick together.”

It is for humanitarian reasons Alan is supporting SWVG which helps destitute refugees seeking sanctuary in Southampton. “I don’t think we should put our heads in the sand. At a local level, we can all make a difference.”

Over the past 36 years, the TV star, born and brought up in Yorkshire, has put down roots near Alton where he lives with his wife Alison in a house set in four acres of mostly wild flower meadow. The couple, who have two daughters and four grandchildren, have a second home on the Isle of Wight.

“I have lived here longer than in Yorkshire which is a terrible admission,” he says chuckling. “I always say to people I am here doing missionary work.” Alan is a Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire and Chancellor of the University of Winchester. From 2008-9 he was High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight.

The son of a mill worker and plumber, he left school at 15 with just one O-level in art. He began work at Ilkley Council as an apprentice gardener, later training at Kew Gardens, before carving out a successful career as a gardening broadcaster and writer. He is mostly self-taught.

“I was a classic late developer. I failed my 11-plus but I always knew I wanted to garden and loved words. I have managed to combine those passions and feel incredibly lucky to be able to share my enthusiasms in both broadcast and print.”

Alan has written more than 50 gardening books, three volumes of autobiography, several books on royalty and ten novels, all of which have made the Sunday Times bestseller list.

He’s also hosted Pebble Mill at One, Gardeners World and Ground Force, the first gardening show on BBC1, attracting 12 million viewers at its peak. The most memorable garden makeover was for former South Africa president Nelson Mandela. Alan was particularly struck reading the anti-apartheid campaigner’s autobiography how growing two tomato plants had helped him during imprisonment.

His own chat show, The Alan Titchmarsh Show, ran for eight years on ITV. It is often said Steve Coogan’s Alan Partridge character was partly based on Titchmarsh

“I have never asked him but I am very flattered if it was. I have been told it was half me and half Michael Aspel,” said Alan who currently presents ITV’s Love Your Garden. In 2000 he was awarded an MBE.

What gardening tips does he have for Hampshire Chronicle readers?

“Plant bulbs – as many as you can – daffodils, tulips and crocuses. It is a wonderful way to bring colour into your garden.”

l Tickets are available from Winchester Cathedral box office www.tickets.winchester-cathedral.org.uk or 01962 857275 or in person at the visitor’s centre.

Tickets cost £13.50, students £10, including a glass of wine and a chance to meet Alan during the interval.