One couple said criticism of their Alan Titchmarsh garden transformation on the ITV show was ‘fake news’
Samantha Masters Content Editor and Karen Price Assistant Editor of Screen Time
21:44, 28 Mar 2026
Alan Titchmarsh and his team received some criticism(Image: ITV)
TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh, renowned for his transformative work on shows like Ground Force and ITV’s Love Your Garden, recently faced some backlash over an episode.
A few years back, Rob and Margaret Isdale, who have fostered over 150 children, were taken aback when their daughter Fiona arranged for Alan and his team to overhaul their garden.
Following a quadruple heart bypass, Rob found solace in the garden during his recovery and expressed a desire to enhance it. He shared: “I had been in hospital and had quadruple heart bypass and when I came out of hospital my daughter drove me home and we were standing in the back garden, and I said as a joke to my daughter, ‘It would be good if Alan Titchmarsh could come and do my garden’.”
Unbeknownst to him, Fiona took his comment seriously and submitted an application, setting the wheels in motion. In 2019, Alan and his team undertook the task of transforming the outdoor space into one reminiscent of The Secret Garden.
Alan Titchmarsh and his team transformed Rob and Margaret Isdale’s garden(Image: PH)
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While the makeover was not what he anticipated, Rob confessed that he and Margaret were delighted with the “traditional” result.
“They did a sort of mock monastery wall and things and made it look a bit Elizabethan, even up to the shed,” he revealed about the design, reports the Express.
He added, “Even when it’s a bit untidy like it is at the moment, it looks the part because of the design of it.”
As the episode broadcast recently, certain viewers expressed dissatisfaction online. One viewer posted on X that Alan and his team had marred the “lovely garden” by introducing “bricks and concrete”.
Another wrote: “It’s too crowded and busy for me but as long as they like it.”
Rob Isdale said the couple were ‘more than happy’ with their garden(Image: PH)
In response to the criticism, Rob emphasised that he and Margaret are “more than happy” with the outcome.
He stated: “I think I saw some things [online], there’s a bit of fake news, we were supposed to be disappointed, and it quite saddens me that because it couldn’t be further from the truth.
“They did a brilliant job, Alan Titchmarsh was great. He came and interviewed us part way through while we were out in the caravan site [as the transformation took place]. Yeah, no complaints at all.”
Rob also mentioned that while they continue to appreciate their garden, he’s implemented some minor adjustments over recent years.
He explained: “The shed, that’s now my art studio, I took up painting so I sit in there and do my painting,” and noted: “It is the same, the only thing we took down was a tree that was in front of our kitchen window that was blocking out the view a bit and the light.”
Rob has made changes to his shed since the show(Image: PH)
During the programme, Alan detailed the transformation, revealing he had redesigned their shed with a mock Tudor aesthetic while incorporating several weathered brick “columns”, which he characterised as “ancient looking follies”.
Acknowledging the dedication and inspiring efforts of foster parents Rob and Margaret, Alan shared with viewers: “I want this new garden to make them feel as cared for as the children who come to their home.”
When the transformation was unveiled, Alan revealed to an emotional Rob and Margaret that he had uncovered “ruins of an old abbey” within the garden, prompting Margaret to describe it as “brilliant.” Rob responded: “I knew it would be special but that’s extra special. Thank you so much.”
Love Your Garden is available on ITVX and Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh is on ITV1 on Sunday at 9.30am
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