ITV's Grantchester faces criticism from Alan Titchmarsh over 'awful' detail

Alan Titchmarsh couldn't hide his frustration on Love Your Weekend as he aired a rather specific grievance about the hit ITV show Grantchester, exclaiming "it's awful" and stating it "drives him nuts".

The popular TV presenter hosted actors Tessa Peake-Jones and Rishi Nair on his Sunday morning show (March 23), where they chatted about the latest instalment of the crime drama - which appeared on screens last month.

The show centres around Sidney Chambers (James Norton), a Cambridgeshire clergyman who finds himself investigating a series of mysterious wrongdoings in his small village of Grantchester.

Sidney was succeeded by William Davenport (Tom Brittney), before Hollyoaks star Rishi joined the cast as vicar Alphy Kotteram last year. Tessa plays the vicarage's devoutly religious housekeeper, Sylvia Chapman.

During their conversation on Alan's show, the veteran gardener couldn't resist pointing out a detail from Grantchester that consistently irritates him.

Alan bluntly remarked, "There's one thing about Grantchester that drives me nuts... It's the blooming wisteria outside the vicarage, it's awful! It's false, it's artificial, it doesn't look real," reports the Mirror.

A perplexed Tessa queried why he felt this way, with Alan sharply retorting: "You can tell it's not real."

Continuing her inquiry, Tessa asked: "But you're an expert! Do you think the public can tell?" to which Alan contested that indeed they would.

Comparing it to another period show, he stated, "It's just like Bridgerton, it's awful," prompting Rishi to contribute, noting: "It's not the first time we've heard that."

Alan probed further: "We've seen series nine but you've finished series ten, so it's going to be in that as well, isn't it? Wisteria doesn't flower all year round. It flowers generally in about May/June."

Despite Alan's scepticism, Tessa remained adamant that the show is set in early summer, so it would explain the wisteria's presence.

Grantchester fans can rejoice as the show will return for a 10th season, which was announced in June 2024. Production kicked off the following month. Anticipation is high for the new episodes, slated to hit ITV screens in early 2026.

Daisy Coulam, the writer and executive producer, expressed profound gratitude regarding the series' return: "This show is a testament to our lovely team - the cast and crew. I'm so grateful and proud that we get to come back together for our 10th season and another glorious summer in Grantchester."