Alan Titchmarsh, the beloved ITV gardener and author, is taking a bold step into new creative territory with his thirteenth book—a murder mystery novel set to be published next year. Best known for his decades of horticultural expertise, the 76-year-old has long captivated audiences not only with his gardening advice but also through a prolific writing career.
The inspiration for venturing into crime fiction struck during a literature festival aboard the Queen Mary 2, where fellow authors encouraged him to try something different. “There were about 30 of us, writers and journalists, on board,” Alan recalled. “One of the authors said to me, ‘Alan, you’ve never written crime, come on, it’s time you did.’ The seed was sown then.”
While excited by the new project, he candidly admits to some apprehension about how readers will receive the novel. “I have no doubt holes will be picked in my plot, but I have thoroughly enjoyed writing it,” he told Yours Magazine. “The characters are interesting and there’s a bit of humour. I never write things terribly, terribly serious.”
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Alongside his literary pursuits, Alan has recently scaled back his workload, now avoiding work on Fridays and occasionally Mondays to gain more flexibility. This new schedule has allowed him to focus on a thriving YouTube channel where he shares gardening tips and demonstrations from his own garden—a venture that has gathered millions of views.
Alan described the platform as “an intimate medium” where viewers feel a personal connection. “One person has got you in their hand rather than a screen with a room and a country full of people watching it,” he explained.
He warmly invites viewers to join him weekly: “Whether you have green fingers or just starting out with your very first window box, join me in my garden for practical tips, step-by-step guides, and plenty of friendly advice to help you make the most of your garden—large or small. So pop the kettle on, pull up a chair (or a trowel!), and join me as we celebrate the wonderful world of gardening together.”
In his latest YouTube episodes, Alan has offered seasonal advice for springtime gardening, focusing on repairing winter-damaged lawns and providing guidance on pricking out seedlings, sowing vegetable seeds, planting hardy perennials, and adding cherry trees to gardens.
Alan Titchmarsh’s new book and evolving career mark an exciting chapter in the life of the gardening icon, proving that creativity and passion have no age limits.