Alan Titchmarsh wants to persuade BBC bosses to launch a gardening version of the 'Great British Bake Off'.

Alan Titchmarsh

Alan Titchmarsh

The green-fingered star - known for hosting the garden makeover series 'Ground Force' between 1997 and 2005 - thinks the channel should do a horticulture version of the tummy-gurgling show fronted by Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror newspaper, he said: "There is never enough gardening on TV. I've been doing it for 40 years on the box. I think there's room for a 'Gardening Bake Off' where people can get their hands dirty to improve their own lives.

"Getting across the message of looking after the planet is something the BBC should always be concerned with and gardening is the sharp end of that.

"It is not involved in the world of celebrity. It is involved in the world of doing stuff and making a difference."

Although the gardener is pushing for the green show, the 67-year-old star will unlikely be willing to host the programme if it were to be commissioned because he's been pulling back on his work projects in recent years.

And Alan - who quit his tea-time chat show a few years ago in order to "pace himself" - will be even more willing to ease up on his work gigs following his battle with excruciating gallstones earlier this year.

The television star was rushed to St Mary's Hospital in Newport, Isle of Wight, on April 5 for emergency treatment after he slumped over in crippling pain at home following a feast of fish and chips and a calorific Easter egg.

His agent said at the time: "Alan was in agony after eating fish and chips and an Easter egg. He was airlifted to hospital but was quickly told the pain was caused by gallstones. He is in tip-top condition and has been out boating since. He will be looking at the food he eats."