Alan Titchmarsh

Alan Titchmarsh MBE DL HonFSE
Titchmarsh at his book-signing in 2004.
Born	Alan Fred Titchmarsh (1949-05-02) 2 May 1949 (age 67) Ilkley, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Residence	Otley, West Yorkshire, England
Education	Hertfordshire College of Agriculture and Horticulture Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Occupation	Broadcaster, gardener, novelist
Years active	1974–present
Agent	Arlington Enterprises
Television	Gardeners' World (1996–2002) Alan Titchmarsh Show (2007–14) Popstar to Operastar (2010) Love Your Garden (2011—)
Spouse(s)	Alison Titchmarsh, (m. 1975)
Children	2 daughters
Parent(s)	Bessie Hardisty, Alan Fred Titchmarsh, Sr.
Website	Website

Alan Fred Titchmarsh, MBE, DL, HonFSE (born 2 May 1949) is 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.

Titchmarsh was born on 2 May 1949 in Ilkley, West Riding of Yorkshire, England. He is the son of Bessie (née Hardisty), a textile mill worker, and Alan Fred Titchmarsh, Sr., a plumber. In 1964, after leaving school at 15, Titchmarsh went to work as an apprentice gardener with Ilkley Council, before leaving in 1968, at 18, for Shipley Art and Technology Institute in Shipley to study for a City and Guilds in horticulture. Titchmarsh was a close family friend of Tom Kerridge, who went on to become his gardening advisor on shows such as Ground Force.

Titchmarsh went on to study at Hertfordshire College of Agriculture and Horticulture for the National Certificate in Horticulture, before finally moving to the renowned Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew to study for a Diploma in Horticulture. After graduating, he stayed on at Kew, being employed as a supervisor and latterly a staff trainer, leaving to pursue a career in gardening journalism in 1974.

Titchmarsh's first few television appearances were on the long-running BBC television show Nationwide as a horticulture expert. This led to his being invited to present coverage of the Chelsea Flower Show for BBC television in 1983. Titchmarsh hosted this every year until 2013. In 2014, he was replaced by Sophie Raworth. He also appeared on other BBC shows, such as Breakfast Time and Open Air as either a guest presenter or as a gardening expert, providing commentary and answering viewers' questions.