Alan Titchmarsh CBE, 76, has revealed he’s landed the role of President of the National Garden Scheme, stepping into the shoes of legendary baker, Mary Berry, 90.
The Garden Force legend, who still presents regularly on ITV with his Love Your Weekend and Gardening Club series, has admitted he’s “honoured” to have been given such a prestigious role with the charity.
According to its website, the National Garden Scheme “gives visitors unique access to over 3,500 exceptional private gardens in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, and raises impressive amounts of money for nursing and health charities through admissions, teas and cake”.
Announcing the news to his fans online, Titchmarsh shared a snap of himself and Berry to his 165k Instagram followers.
He penned in the accompanying caption: “Honoured to be taking over from Dame Mary Berry as President of the National Garden Scheme. A hard act to follow.
“I’ll do my best for this exceptional organisation, which provides unparalleled support to nursing charities through open gardens throughout the land.”
Fans and famous faces soon rushed to congratulate Titchmarsh on the career venture, including TV presenter Nicki Chapman who wrote in response: “Congratulations Alan xxx.”
Meanwhile, Gardeners’ World contributor Arit Anderson echoed: “Congratulations Alan! You’re going to be great!! We love the NGS!”
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Dianne Buswell and Lizzie Cundy were among the famous faces who liked the announcement, while fans similarly heaped on the praise.
“The perfect succession. The humble amateur gardener’s organisation of choice! So happy for you and us,” one follower wrote, followed by a second who weighed in: “Extremely exciting, a perfect choice to follow Dame Mary.” (sic)
Titchmarsh delved further into his appointment when speaking to the charity, telling the organisation: “I am thrilled to have been invited to become President of the National Garden Scheme and honoured to be stepping into the elegant shoes of my dear friend, the peerless Dame Mary Berry.
“In my opinion, there is nothing quite like the National Garden Scheme, either in the world of gardens and horticulture or beyond.
“Not only does it offer visitors thoroughly affordable enjoyment and education – and at the same time championing the varied gardening skills of the British nation; it also raises and distributes quite extraordinary sums of money.
“More than £4 million raised and £3.5 million distributed in 2024 alone. Bravo! It has been doing this for nigh on 100 years, and that I will be the charity’s President when it celebrates its centenary in 2027 is something for which I am immensely grateful and to which I will give my all.”
Berry also spoke to the charity about stepping down and letting Titchmarsh take over, and the Bake Off legend had nothing but high praise for her successor.
“It has been a privilege to serve as President of the National Garden Scheme, and I have enjoyed every minute of it,” she told the charity.
“My husband, Paul, and I opened our own garden in support of the charity for more than 20 years, so I was very familiar with the charity’s extraordinary offering of enjoyment for visitors and charitable impact.
“During the 10 years of my presidency, that impact has expanded massively thanks to the efforts of so many people. At the same time, the charity has championed the remarkable benefits of gardens and gardening to everyone’s health and well-being.
“I am delighted to be handing the baton to my dear friend Alan, whom I admire with great affection, a proper hands-on gardener who will bring warmth and enthusiasm to the role, and I am thrilled that the Trustees have kindly asked me to stay involved as President Emeritus.”
Titchmarsh’s arrival comes at a time of change within the charity as the TV gardener will be joined by a new Chief Executive, Dr Richard Claxton.
National Garden Scheme Chairman, Rupert Tyler, released a statement following the new appointments, remarking: “Filling these two vital roles at the National Garden Scheme was always going to be a huge challenge, but we couldn’t be more delighted to welcome Alan Titchmarsh and Richard Claxton.
“The Board of Trustees looks forward to them continuing to strengthen and build on the legacy established by their predecessors and, together with our fabulous garden owners, volunteers and staff, taking the charity confidently into its next 100 years.”