Alan Titchmarsh shared his thoughts on David Beckham’s passion for gardening following their collaboration on a special garden project last month
Alan Titchmarsh has opened up about his experience of collaborating with David Beckham at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. During the prestigious annual showcase, Alan appeared alongside David, garden designer Frances Tophill and King Charles to unveil the Curious Garden, a joint venture between the RHS and the King’s Foundation designed to encourage young people to consider careers in horticulture.
The display included delphiniums, the King’s preferred bloom, an oak-framed structure representing a museum of horticultural curiosities, as well as the introduction of the Sir David Beckham rose.
Discussing David’s participation with The Times, Alan shared what he discovered about the ex-footballer while touring the exhibition together. “He’s doing a good job, he enjoys growing veg. But he’s very good with people,” he observed.
“I walked round Chelsea with him and no selfie was too much trouble. He will bring another raft of folk that will see gardening as being a bit more cool.”
Alan had previously gained additional understanding of David’s enthusiasm for gardening when interviewing him for Country Life magazine last year. In the article, he described David as a “hands-on owner” of his Cotswolds property, disclosing that he had personally planted half of a Euonymus japonicus hedge.
When questioned about his choice of the Cotswolds, David apparently responded: “Because it’s one of the most beautiful parts of the countryside and I knew that, if I picked the right location and the children could get there in a day from London, they’d come.”
He continued: “I wanted somewhere in the country, but I was frustrated after six months of looking. I was disappointed by a house I’d been to look at and was driving past these ruins – and a pile of bricks. Two barns and a mess.
“I asked what was going on, ‘We’re rebuilding,’ they said. I told them to stop and, within a week, I’d bought it. I had a vision of what I wanted it to look like.”
David also disclosed that he originally bought the property without consulting his wife, Victoria Beckham, though he maintained she has subsequently grown to adore it.
Recalling her response, he explained: “She didn’t want another project. We’d just done up the London house. I sat her down, gave her a vodka and tonic and told her what I’d done. I took her and the children to the barns and said, ‘You’re not coming back until it’s done’. Fourteen months later, on December 17, I brought them back when the house was finished.”
Prior to his appearance at the Chelsea Flower Show, David spoke candidly about his passion for the countryside and gardening. According to him, it began during childhood while visiting his grandparents.
“I’ve experienced how rewarding gardening can be and that’s why I’m looking forward to working with The RHS and The King’s Foundation on their Curious Garden at the 2026 RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
“I hope we inspire people to get outside into nature and to try something new,” he revealed.
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