Love Your Weekend star Alan Titchmarsh was once left “hurt” after leaving the BBC’s coverage of the Chelsea Flower Show.
The TV presenter opened up in 2014 about leaving the programme.
Alan, 75, admitted he didn’t feel “jealousy and bitterness” but he felt “hurt” as he was replaced by Monty Don, who also took over from him on Gardeners’ World.
Love Your Weekend star Alan Titchmarsh on Chelsea Flower Show exit
In 2013, Alan decided to step down from the BBC’s coverage of the Chelsea Flower Show after 30 years. He said in a statement at the time: “I really enjoyed my 30 years of presenting Chelsea Flower Show coverage for the BBC and wish the new team every success.”
The BBC then added: “The way the Chelsea coverage will be presented across the BBC has changed for 2014, and Alan decided to step away from next year’s show.”
In 2014, Alan opened up to the Radio Times about his departure. The presenter claimed BBC management made him “an offer I had to refuse”. A year later, in a double blow, he was also replaced by Monty on Gardeners’ World.
Alan on Chelsea Flower Show
He then said: “Yes, I suppose I was hurt, because I know people enjoy you doing it as much as I loved doing it. But they probably felt it was time for a change and may well be right. Was I dumped for Monty Don? You might say that. I couldn’t possibly comment. I don’t feel dumped.”
Alan then added: “They made me an offer I had to refuse. It’s up to them. I’m not bitter. I was disappointed but I’m not a grudge bearer. You have to move on. Nobody owes you a living. I’m still gainfully employed. My days aren’t empty.”
The star also said he felt there was “no point” in feeling “jealousy”. He then said: “Leave it behind. We’ve all got problems, had tragedies in our lives. I don’t see any point in whingeing. A trouble shared is a trouble dragged out till bedtime. The people who have life sussed are outward-looking, doing stuff for other folk.”
Double blow
Speaking to The Times in 2021, the paper speculated if Alan had the Chelsea Flower Show, Gardeners’ World and Monty on his mind when he spoke about ageism in the workplace. The paper pointed out that Monty is six years younger than Alan.
He told the paper: “Resentful is too strong a word, but you think, don’t discount me because I’ve been here a long time.
“In a lot of jobs they move people on in their mid-fifties when their expertise is at its peak and they’ve just got going. It was only in my fifties that I became much more comfortable in myself.”
Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh airs Sundays from 9.30am on ITV1 and ITVX.
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