Alan Titchmarsh unveils secret health fears led him to snub BBC bosses over Strictly stint

Alan Titchmarsh unveils secret health fears led him to snub BBC bosses over Strictly stint

WATCH NOW: Angela Rippon shares huge update from rehearsals before Halloween Week

INSTAGRAM/ANGELA RIPPON
Alex Davies

By Alex Davies


Published: 30/10/2023

- 09:52

The 74-year-old gardener has been asked to take on the Strictly ballroom several times

Alan Titchmarsh has candidly shared the real reason he's decided to reject numerous offers from BBC bosses to star in Strictly Come Dancing.

The latest series of Strictly is now well and truly in full swing after its cast of 15 was unveiled earlier this year.


Titchmarsh wasn't involved, although it wasn't for the want of trying from show bosses' part.

The Love Your Weekend star has reportedly been asked six times to appear on the BBC weekend staple but each time has decided to turn it down.

And it turns out there's a key reason why and it's thanks to advice from his wife Alison.

"Alison was a dance tutor and she is convinced my knees wouldn’t stay the course," he admitted as he hinted at fears about his joints.

Alan Titchmarsh

Alan Titchmarsh has opened up on why he turned down Strictly

GETTY

Titchmarsh - who recently also admitted he may quit TV for good over fears regarding cancel culture - delved further: "On top of that, it is a huge commitment; you start in September and you might be there until Christmas.

"There’s too much other stuff I need to be getting on with," he told Saga Exceptional.

The 74-year-old also touched upon the key ways in which he tries to keep active, healthy and mobile - despite thinking Strictly may be one step too far.

"I don’t have the stamina I used to, but I do potter and try to aim for 10,000 steps a day," he added to the publication.

"No extreme sports, though; my BMX and skateboarding days are definitely behind me."

Titchmarsh's reluctance to take to the dance floor due to age-induced health fears may have been eased this year, however, following the inclusion of Angela Rippon to the line-up.

Rippon became the oldest-ever Strictly contestant in 2023 after being paired with Kai Widdrington at the age of 78 at the start of the competition.

She's since celebrated her 79th birthday and has proven age is nothing but a number with her show-stopping displays on the Strictly dance floor - including Halloween Week's Charleston.

Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington

Angela Rippon has been impressing on Strictly as the oldest ever contestant

BBC

Rippon and Widdrington were guided by Olivier Award-winning choreographer Bill Deamer as they prepared their Charleston for Saturday night's show.

And their hard work certainly paid off as they earned an impressive 33 score from the judges - including a surprising score of nine from the usually stern Craig Revel Horwood.

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