Alan Titchmarsh addresses furore over him and Tom Cruise hosting Platinum Jubilee: 'We're not a natural pairing!'

ok.co.uk:

Alan Titchmarsh has addressed the "unusual" roster of celebrities taking part in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebration.Taking place on Sunday 15th May, the event will be presented by Phillip Schofield and Julie Etchingham, alongside a series of other celebrity hosts taking us back through the 70-year history of Queen Elizabeth II's reign.

And Alan himself has remarked on just how grateful he is to be taking part alongside the likes of Tom Cruise, Dame Helen Mirren, Damian Lewis and Adjoa Andoh. "Tom Cruise and I are not a natural pairing, but I'm all for breaking out the mould!" he said. "I know Adjoa Andoh and some of the other presenters and I suspect we are all just grateful to have been asked to participate." Get exclusive celebrity stories and fabulous photoshoots straight to your inbox with OK!'s daily newsletter.

You can sign up at the top of the page. "It will be the most spectacular evening and I suspect we'll all just be anxious to get it right." The varied roster of stars announced for the show has certainly got people talking, especially when it comes to the combination of Alan and A-lister, Tom Cruise.

In response, Alan said: "Well, it's raised a few eyebrows and given rise to a few comments, but it has also raised the profile of the event. "At least I was described as a 'Gardening A-lister', so that will do me, though as well as being a man of the earth, I have also been a television presenter and talk show host for more than thirty years now. "I just want to get out there and do a good job, and I am sure Tom Cruise feels the same." Alan has met the Queen and many other members of the Royal Family over the years, and says he's delighted to have been invited to be part of the proceedings. "I'm delighted.