Titchmarsh’s turf war with Top Gun Tom

ITV Platinum Jubilee Celebration presenter Alan Titchmarsh seems to be getting tetchy over comparisons about the star wattage imbalance between himself and Tom Cruise, who will make a guest appearance.

‘It’s raised a few eyebrows and given rise to a few comments, but it has also raised the profile of the event,’ green-fingered Titch allows.

‘At least I was described as a “Gardening A-lister”, so that will do me. Though as well as being a man of the earth I have also been a television presenter and talk-show host for more than 30 years now. I just want to get out there and do a good job and I am sure Tom Cruise feels the same.’

Perhaps he can upstage the Mission: Impossible star by jumping out of a helicopter into Windsor Castle’s grounds? DOES Sir Mick Jagger treat books the same way as he does women? I ask only because he’s admitted that he struggles to devote himself to one, preferring to juggle two simultaneously. ‘I try to read one fiction book at the same time as a non-fiction book,’ the Rolling Stones singer, 78, explains. ‘Sometimes it’s hard to find a book that holds your attention.’ Jagger’s most recent read was historical: ‘It was about the history of the Ottoman empire,’ says the star, who quit as a student at the London School of Economics to join the Stones. ‘I’ve read quite a few books on empires. It was an interesting read. For instance, when the sultan was getting old and was going to die, all of his sons would assemble in what is now Istanbul and normally the eldest one would be made Sultan and he would kill all his brothers.’ Rivalries were never that bad in the Stones…