Alan Titchmarsh Breaks His Silence on a January 2026 Health Scare — But the Real Story Started Years Ago

 Alan Titchmarsh has always made gardening look soothing—like the worst thing that can happen is a slug invasion. But in January 2026, the beloved TV presenter and author sparked fresh concern when he candidly acknowledged that his body doesn’t always “bounce back” the way it used to.

And before we get to what he said this time, it helps to remember: Alan’s “health scares” haven’t been about one dramatic headline moment—more like a slow build of wear-and-tear that’s followed him through decades of kneeling, lifting, filming, and doing what he loves.

Back in April 2016, Titchmarsh experienced a sudden, frightening episode after a large meal. He was left “in agony,” taken to St Mary’s Hospital on the Isle of Wight, and later transferred to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, where doctors determined the pain was caused by gallstones. His representative later said he recovered quickly and was in “tip-top condition.”

It wasn’t the only time Alan’s health became a reminder that even the most energetic gardeners have limits. Years of working low to the ground eventually caught up with him—literally. In a past interview, he revealed he underwent knee arthroscopy on both knees, explaining that surgeons removed “damaged tissue and cartilage” to figure out the source of his pain. The reason sounded painfully relatable to anyone who spends real time in the garden: too much kneeling, for too long. After the procedure, he said he felt like “a spring chicken again.”

Then came another setback. In October 2020, Alan shared that he’d broken his ankle after slipping on wet grass in his garden. Writing about it at the time, he described it as “the broken ankle I incurred… when slipping on our dew-laden lawn,” and noted he was on crutches while he recovered.

Which brings us back to January 2026—and the moment that had viewers wincing in sympathy.

During a New Year’s Day TV appearance, the conversation turned to aging and what the body can (and can’t) handle anymore. Alan tried to prove he still had it by dropping to his knees and popping back up—but then came the punchline that sounded a lot like a warning: “Ow—I’ll pay for that later!”

It wasn’t a medical diagnosis, and he didn’t describe a hospital dash. But it was a very Alan Titchmarsh-style health scare: a public, honest reminder that the same passion that built his career—years in the garden—also leaves its mark. And in January 2026, he made it clear he’s listening to his body now… even if he still can’t resist pushing it, just a little.