Alan Titchmarsh opens up on saddening family heartache saying 'we lost them'

Television gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh said it has become "more difficult" for him and wife Alison to own dogs in recent years as they are "away quite a bit" after once reflecting on the "sad loss" of his pooches.

The former Gardeners' World host currently presents Underdog to Superdog. The programme features dog trainers working to rehabilitate rescued, abandoned or badly-behaved canines.

The series, which launched on Channel 5 earlier this year, follows trainers as they attempt to teach troublesome pets fresh tricks and abilities.

Speaking to Saga magazine in 2023, Alan revealed how he and his family commemorated the passing of two of their cherished dogs. He explained: "Sadly, we lost the girls, but we've got a couple of statues in the back garden and I pat them every time I walk past."

During a chat with Best magazine this year, the 76-year-old disclosed that he and his family have no immediate intentions to welcome new animals into their household.

He said: "Being older now we can be away quite a bit, which makes dog owning more difficult."

In the current series of Underdog to Superdog viewers have witnessed him alongside numerous breeds including; a cocker spaniel, a Greek Harehound, a Labrador and even a refugee dog who had been rescued from the ongoing war in Ukraine.

This follows Alan's recent candid discussion about his experience with loss. The television presenter disclosed his mother's pride in his achievements before her death in 2002.

In a candid chat on James O'Brien's Full Disclosure podcast, he revealed: "Well, she was...yeah, she was proud of me in the end and that was nice to know, and the thing you realise, as soon as you've lost both your parents.."

He took a moment to share his personal timeline, recalling his father's passing in 1986 when Alan was in his 30s, followed by his mother's death in the early 2000s, when he was in his 50s.

Alan went on to say: "You suddenly realise there's nobody to impress anymore, nobody to show off to, really, nobody to make proud of you, and I think that's a big realisation for anybody in any walk of life.

"I think we all try and do right by our parents in a kind of reflected way, saying, 'Look, I did alright; you saw me right. You grounded me; you brought me up to achieve what I've achieved', and it's not just showing off to your parents.

"It's feeling you want to give them some kind of vindication for your life and that they did right by...I was very aware of that when they went and I would still...I'd do something and I'd think, 'Oh, I must ring me...oh'."

Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh returns this morning (Sunday, August 24) onITV at 9.30am.

This week's episode promises to be a treat, with tennis icon Sue Barker joining him to discuss her remarkable career in the sport.

Additionally, actor Adrian Lukis will also be present for a chat, while viewers can also look forward to coverage of the Royal Family at the annual Braemar Gathering.