Alan Titchmarsh's disbelief at King Charles's private message to wife after falling ill

opened up about his admiration for who reached out to the Love Your Garden star's wife in a heartfelt move. The 76-year-old has been happily married to his wife Alison since 1975. The couple met in their twenties at an amateur dramatics group and struck up a romance that is still going strong five decades later. The former Ground Force star spoke candidly about the monarch, who he described as the "hardest working man" he's ever met.

The ITV favourite opened up about a time his wife had been feeling poorly and the royal reached out to her and offered his support. Speaking in a new interview with , Alan shared, "I think people have realised just what kind of a man he is, and that he is amazing. The King is considerate, he sent flowers with a handwritten letter when Alison was poorly for a while."

The gardening expert added: "He's a cracking friend to his friends; he's a role model for a lot of folk, really."

The monarch, who is still undergoing treatment for an undisclosed cancer, received his diagnosis at the start of 2024.

"Even before his recent cancer treatment, he was the hardest working man I had ever met. That is still true. He is so devoted to his people and his country," Alan explained.

"He is in a position that nobody else understands and it's very much what you make of it. His conscience is such that he won't let up with the work, but to do it when you're undergoing cancer treatment?

"I am in awe. To lose your father, then your mother and to finally be in that job, but then to get cancer - the treatment for which saps your strength - and still plough on? Come on!"

Alan is set to mark a huge a milestone with his other half as the couple celebrate their 50 year golden anniversary in July.

The TV star admitted they haven't got anything planned at the moment but have ruled out having a party.

You can read the full interview in .