The Ground Force legend said love can be “transitory” (Image: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Alan Titchmarsh has admitted there’s “no easy answer” while he shared a candid update about his almost five-decade marriage.
The legend has been married to his wife, Alison Titchmarsh, with whom he shares two grown-up daughters and four grandchildren, since 1975.
, who is also known for his previous role on show Gardeners’ World, recently opened up about his relationship during an interview with Saga magazine.
Alan said: “Would you believe it’s 48 years! I’m always asked the secret to a long marriage, but there’s no easy answer. Shared values, a sense of humour.
“Yes, you fall in love, but love can be transitory. What really keeps you together is liking each other… being great friends and companions.”
Read more…
Alan Titchmarsh said what really keeps you together is “liking each other” (Image: Chris Jackson -WPA Pool/Getty Images)
In 2023, it was reported that despite Alan’s success, when the couple first met, they “couldn’t afford” to go out for dinner and even saved 25p a week with their butcher to ensure they had a joint.
He told magazine: “I’m a lucky man, because she’s the most un-materialistic person I know.” He also revealed that they would previously “try to avoid the milkman” when times were tough financially.
Speaking to the Mirror, Alan said romance is about being “thoughtful” and explained that he’d made Alison tea for “more than 45 years”, but she’s ironed his shirts “every week for years”.
Speaking on James O’Brien’s Full Disclosure podcast in the same year, he detailed the “heartbreaking” question his daughter asked him when he kissed her goodnight.
Don’t miss… [REPORT] [REVEAL]
Alan previously said romance is about being “thoughtful” (Image: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Alan explained that his commitments meant he had to spend long periods of time away from home when his children were young, leaving him feeling guilty. However, he said it was a moment in his career when he “knew it had to be done”.
He said:”I would go away on a Sunday evening and come back later in the weekend. I do remember the heartbreaking thing of kissing one of them goodnight and them saying, ‘Will you be here in the morning?’.
“I knew I wouldn’t, and that was hard, of course. I did say, I mean every weekend, it’s not as if I’m in the army going away for three months or a year or whatever, so that was my excuse.”
You can next catch Alan on ‘Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh’ this morning on ITV from 9:30am.