Alan Titchmarsh ‘very concerned’ about Love Your Garden co-star ‘living in a van

Frances Tophill had never appeared on screen until she was cast alongside Alan Titchmarsh on ITV1’s Love Your Garden. Now, the 34-year-old from Kent has become a much-loved and recognisable figure among viewers – and has established a strong friendship with Alan Titchmarsh. Apart from her prominent role on the ITV gardening show, Frances is also recognised as a published author. However, her career has had some difficult times, including a period when she considered moving into a van, which understandably worried her co-star Alan. Frances Tophill stars on ITV1’s Love You Garden alongside Alan Titchmarsh (Image: ITV) In an interview with The Sunday Post, she opened up about a time when Alan Titchmarsh was very concerned about her welfare. It was during a period when she was actively looking for a house, but kept getting outbid. She said: “I called him the other day to tell him about my new home because he was very concerned about me. I’d been trying to buy a house for years, then it was the pandemic, and it was all very competitive. “I said if I didn’t get it, I could just buy myself a little field and live in my van” She also revealed Alan was shocked when he learned about her intention to live in a van, and he was visibly relieved when she eventually secured her new home in Devon. However, Frances emphasised she still “needs a home on wheels” and her affinity for a mobile lifestyle remains intact. In fact, she lives in the van when she’s away while filming Love Your Garden across the country. Frances Tophill, left, and Katie Rushworth, right, on ITV1’s Love Your Garden alongside Alan Titchma (Image: ITV) Frances has faced challenges due to her dyslexia, but that hasn’t hindered her from publishing five gardening books. Initially working as a shop assistant at Marks & Spencer, she found her true calling when she took on a £2 an hour apprenticeship in gardening. Her first assignment was to revitalise the garden owned by Dom and Steph from Gogglebox at The Salutation. Similar to her co-star Katie Rushworth, Frances received an unexpected email during her time at university, seeking gardeners to join Alan Titchmarsh on Love Your Garden. This opportunity eventually led to her securing a role with ITV, despite lacking prior TV experience. Since then, Frances has become a regular cast member on the ITV series, alongside Alan Titchmarsh, Katie Rushworth, and David Domoney. Frances maintains a very private personal life, so it is difficult to know if she is married. However, we do know that she is a devoted aunt to her sister’s young son. Beyond that, ‘Frinky’ has chosen to keep her personal life out of the public eye. Whatever the future holds, it is clear that she has become a much-loved figure among ITV viewers and will no doubt continue to inspire and help many people to cultivate their love of gardening in the years to come.