Love Your Weekend's Alan Titchmarsh announces major change minutes into latest episode

Love Your Weekend host Alan Titchmarsh announced a major change to the show just minutes into the latest episode.

The hit ITV programme returned to screens for a new series on Sunday (September 28), which sees the beloved gardener celebrate all that is great about the British countryside, including arts, crafts, manufacturing and produce.

At the start of today's episode, Alan shared an exciting update, saying: "Hello and welcome back to Manor Farm and the start of a brand new series.

"We're thrilled to be back and entertaining you every Sunday morning as we continue to celebrate everything that's great about our British countryside."

The host then revealed that a "new recruit" had joined Manor Farm, with Sort Your Life Out star Robert Bent making his debut on the show.

For his first ever Love Your Weekend project, the DIY expert was tasked with restoring Manor Farm's chicken coop.

"Once the Hilton of henhouses, it's days of five star reviews are long gone. Well, time for a serious demolition and restoration job and who better to handle a project of such magnitude than a BAFTA-nominated TV carpenter. Welcome to Manor Farm, Rob Bent," Alan said.

Rob replied: "It's a different change of pace... It is quite a task. We've got mud, clay, chalk, stones, rocks, bramble trees."

The carpenter also roped in his son to help with the project, before unveiling his progress later in the show ahead of a "grand opening" in a few weeks.

A new cast member wasn't the only change to this series of Love Your Weekend, as Alan also introduced a new segment to the episodes.

"Now, being inquisitive is a prerequisite for a man in my line of work. So, I make no apology for our brand new series, A Weekend With, where we join a host of well-known, much-loved celebrities to discover how they unwind away from the spotlight," the host explained.

"Launching the series, two eighties icons who have swapped stringfellows for string beans. It's Martin and Shirlie Kemp."

During the segment, the couple shared their love of spending time outdoors, with Martin revealing his passion for making apple juice.

Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh airs Sundays at 9.30am on ITV1 and ITVX