Let’s take a break in the countryside
Alan Titchmarsh is on a mission to give us a weekend break from “politics and cookery”.
He’s back with a second series of Sunday morning show Love Your Weekend With Alan Titchmarsh, and his lively take on what matters most to him – the great British countryside. The gardener, 71, who films from a thatched barn surrounded by animals, tells us more…
It must be nice to create something positive during such a difficult time…
Yes, it’s a show for Sunday mornings, so people never want heavy content then. It gives people a chance to understand more about the countryside.
Where did your passion for the countryside come from?
I was brought up in the Yorkshire Dales. I’ve always been fascinated by nature since I was a boy.
Do you think that getting a lot of outdoor space is good for people’s mental health?
Oh, I do. It’s kept everyone sane. Just to remind yourself that life is going on out there. It’s not just about us, it’s about things that grow, flutter and swim.
How have the lockdowns affected you?
The hardest thing is not being able to see your family. But thank goodness for Zoom calls. We FaceTime every day.
Who would you love to get on the show?
Anybody who’s prepared to talk. They don’t have to be famous, they just need a tale to tell. It’s important to keep people connected. We talk to all the people involved in the countryside.
Is your wife Alison a big support?
Yes. We have a cushion that says, “Behind every successful man lies an exhausted woman.”
What’s been your highlight of the show so far?
We had a race horse on this week. And I love seeing rare breeds of duck.