Alan Titchmarsh has told of his surprise after one of his gardening shows was broadcast in North Korea.
A 15-minute segment from the BBC’s Alan Titchmarsh’s Garden Secrets has been aired in the rogue state run by dictator Kim Jong-un.
Now the Ground Force veteran, 73, says he hopes it will have a therapeutic effect on North Korean viewers.
READ MORE: Alan Titchmarsh’s life off air – happy 46-year marriage to battle with deadly disease
He said: “I never imagined that my programmes would reach North Korea, but hopefully the calming nature of British gardening will be well received there.”
(Image: Mark Thomas/REX/Shutterstock)
In the clip shown on KCTV, the regime’s television service, Alan is at Hatfield House, Herts, exploring 17th century gardening techniques.
He then plants a flower bed, arranged in the shape of a leaf, with three types of thyme.
He also interviews the estate’s head gardener, David Beaumont, creates a topiary cube and plants a small fruit tree.
Analyst Martyn Williams, who monitors North Korea’s TV output, was also surprised to see the clip.
(Image: PA)
He said: “There is very little foreign programming. It’s usually restricted to sports and science, and technology-type reports.
“This falls into the latter category. They have short features on non-controversial topics.”
Mr Williams continued: ‘It’s difficult to know about the exact source of the programming, but in general I believe North Korea does care about programming rights.
‘It’s possible it was licensed to KCTV or perhaps a South Korean broadcaster got all-Korea rights and shared it.”
(Image: BBC)
According to the BBC website, the gardening programme was last broadcast here in August 2014.
After working as a professional gardener and a gardening journalist, Alan established himself as a media personality through appearances on television gardening programmes.
He has developed a diverse writing and broadcasting career.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here
READ NEXT:
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
