Alan Titchmarsh's life off-screen from racy side hustle to celebrity pals
04.05.2024 - 08:41
/ ok.co.uk
Alan Titchmarsh is a household name, known for his gardening expertise on popular shows like Ground Force, The Alan Titchmarsh Show, and Love Your Garden. However, the 74 year old's talents extend far beyond just being green-fingered. Here’s a look at his life off-screen.
Having cultivated his passion for plants at Hertfordshire College of Agriculture and Horticulture, Alan furthered his knowledge at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, earning a Diploma in Horticulture. Following his graduation, he stayed on at Kew as a supervisor before transitioning into a successful career in gardening journalism. After venturing into publishing as an assistant editor of gardening books, Alan expanded his literary repertoire by penning his own book in 1976.
Yet, it may surprise many to learn that his writing ventures extend beyond gardening guides. Alongside his acclaimed gardening how-to guides, biographies, and National Geographic publications, Alan has also delved into the realm of fiction writing. Renowned for his best-selling raunchy novels, his repertoire includes titles like The Scarlet Nightingale, Animal Instincts, and Love and Dr.
Devon. His debut novel, Mr. MacGregor, was a contender for the Literary Review's Bad Sex in Fiction Award in 1998.
Despite his initial foray into steamy prose, Alan admits that his later works have toned down the raunchiness. "My first book was a bit of a romp, but when you come to record the audiobook – that's when you get your comeuppance," he confessed in an interview with The Mirror. However, when it comes to his own family's reaction to his novels, he reveals that his daughters, Polly, 41, and Camilla, 39, have intentionally steered clear of his romantic fiction.