FORMER Ilkley council gardener Alan Titchmarsh has made it to London's glittering West End where he will debut as the narrator in the Royal Opera House’s production of The Wind in the Willows.

The son of a plumber and millworker, Mr Titchmarsh left school at 15 to work as an apprentice gardener for the council in his home town.

Aged 18, he enrolled at Shipley Art and Technology Institute to gain his City and Guilds in horticulture.

From there he progressed to Kew Gardens and ultimately began his long and varied TV career including such shows as Nationwide, Ground Force and Gardener's World.

And of his latest role narrating Kenneth Grahame's classic tale of Toad, Rat and Mole he commented: "Poop Poop!

"I am thrilled and delighted to be joining this tremendous production which celebrates my all-time favourite children's book."

The well-loved story is brought to life through song, music, dance and puppetry and makes its return to the West End after an Olivier Award-winning run last Christmas.

The production will be at the Vaudeville Theatre from Wednesday, November 26, to Saturday, January 17.

Mr Titchmarsh has written more than 50 books as well as nine novels, a Christmas anthology and a miscellany on Englishness.

The Wind in the Willows will mark his West End theatre debut, although he has previously presented many prestigious events including the Last Night of the Proms and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant.

In 2000 he received an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Will Tuckett's critically acclaimed production was named Best Entertainment and Family at the 2014 Olivier Awards, will this year run for eight weeks at the Vaudeville Theatre.

Based on Kenneth Grahame's timeless classic, the adventures of four woodland friends are retold through dance, song, music and puppetry. From a dusty old attic a wonderful tale unfolds; the peaceful riverbank world is rocked by a speeding car, a racing train and criminal deeds cooked up in the Wild Wood.

The escapades of the hot-headed Toad, debonair Ratty, shy Mole and wise Badger are brought vividly to life in a production that has charmed audiences of all ages.