Alan Titchmarsh admits wife 'loves' famous man who beat him to 'most attractive' accolade

Alan Titchmarsh claims his wife loves George Clooney (Image: Getty Images)

Gardeners' World icon Alan Titchmarsh revealed his wife 'loves' George Clooney - and the legendary actor once beat him into second place in a 'most attractive person in the country' competition.

Alan, who made his name on the popular BBC show, has been married to wife Alison for almost 50 years, but it appears she has a soft spot for the Hollywood heartthrob.

Speaking to the Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth podcast, the former Gardeners' World presenter said: "My wife loves George Clooney.

"Well several years ago I did once come second (in a vote for the most attractive man in the country) to George Clooney. I mean, come on."

Hollywood heartthrob George Clooney (Image: Corbis via Getty Images)

The TV personality also told the humorous story about his Madame Tussauds was moved from the flagship site in London to the spin-off tourist attraction in Blackpool, Lancashire.

Alan, who presented Gardeners' World from 1996 to 2002, claims it is because his model confused foreign tourists as he was surrounded by the likes of Clooney, Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt.

Alan said: "My max work in Madame Tussauds, which I think has now been moved to Blackpool because Japanese tourists who were going to Baker Street because they had no clue who I was.

"But I was standing next to Brad Pitt, and I think perhaps there were too many people around him, so people felt sorry for me."

Alan Titchmarsh has been married to his wife Alison for almost 50 years (Image: Getty Images)

It comes after the gardening legend revealed a surprising romantic mishap he committed before meeting his wife Alison. The couple began dating in the early 1970s, but before they got together Alan expressed interested in a pal's current wife first.

Speaking to Gyles, he recalled: "I pursued her. But we got on very well, we were always very comfortable. We had a couple of friends who were together in the operatic as well.

“In fact I asked my friend Steve’s now wife – they’ve just celebrated their golden wedding – I asked her out first, on Thursday.

“She said, ‘Oh I can’t do tonight, it’s the night I wash my hair.’”

You can catch Alan on Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh at 9.30am this morning (Sunday, November 17) on ITV.