Alan Titchmarsh has no intention of retiring - yet.
Alan Titchmarsh insists he has no intention of retiring
The 72-year-old gardener has entered his fifth decade as a TV star and he does not want to stop working because he would lose his "sense of purpose".
When asked if he had contemplated retiring, he said: "Never. Why would I retire and have to find something to interest me and fill the day? I’ve got a sense of purpose and reason to get up in the morning, that’s the greatest gift of all.
“But I do consider myself very lucky to still be on the screen at my age.”
Titchmarsh is busier than ever and first appeared on the TV on BBC’s ‘Nationwide’ before he went on to present BBC’s ‘Chelsea Flower Show’ in 1983.
The horticulturist, who has been the face of TV gardening for more than 30 years, will be hosting his ‘Grand Christmas Classics’ events in Birmingham, Manchester and London this month. He is also gearing up to front his Boxing Day special ‘Love Your Garden’ and has teased the release of his 12th novel in Spring 2022.
The 'Love Your Garden' host has two grown up daughters, Polly and Camilla, with his 72-year-old wife Alison - who he has been married to since 1975 - and his family do want him to slow down as he gets older.
In an interview with the Daily Mirror newspaper, he said: "My family keeps saying to me, ‘You shouldn’t be working as hard as you do’, so I’ve told them I’ll try to slow down. But the problem is I love what I do. I must try to get the balance better, but I love it.
“I’m not knackered of an evening either. I used to get more shattered when I was doing the chat show in the afternoon, and that was 10 years ago now.
“I think Alison is anxious that I don’t overdo it, but she’s very understanding too.”
Titchmarsh insists his passion for gardening and the fact the hobby keeps him so active for his good health.
He said: "I would say I’m pretty fit for my age, I can still run for a bus or a train, and I often do.
“The only concession I make on Love Your Garden, is if there’s a massive tree to plant. Then I get someone else to dig the hole."
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