A TELEVISION presenter has been unveiled as the new chancellor of a Hampshire university.

Alan Titchmarsh will assume the role at the University of Winchester from August 1, 2015.

He replaces Prof Dame Mary Fagan who is retiring from the role at the end of the academic year after an eight-year stint.

The accolade is the latest in a string of awards for the Hampshire celebrity gardener, who was made an MBE in 2000 and received the Victoria Medal of Honour from the Royal Horticultural Society in 2004.

Alan, who began his gardening career at age 15, said: “I am delighted to have been asked to become the next Chancellor of the University of Winchester. I have long admired the University's ethos and reputation and I look forward to a long and happy association. I feel hugely honoured.”

Dame Mary added: “It has been a privilege to be so closely associated with the University of Winchester for the past eight years. The university has grown from strength to strength largely due to the inspiration of Vice-Chancellor Joy Carter and her team, both in the significance of its academic research and the successes of its students.

Daily Echo: Dame Mary Fagan

Dame Mary Fagan

“I am delighted with the appointment of Alan Titchmarsh as my successor and I am sure he will be a splendid Chancellor.”

Alan is also a patron or president of more than 50 charities.

More recently he is known for presenting ITV1 chat show The Alan Titchmarsh Show, writing nine novels and for hosting a show on Classic FM.