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Marian Foster (born 19 March 1943) is an English television and radio presenter from Newcastle Upon Tyne. She is best known for presenting BBC One's Pebble Mill at One from 1972 to 1986, and currently Garden Mania on BBC Radio Newcastle and BBC Radio Tees.
She was trained as a music teacher and sang with the London Symphony Chorus and Royal Northern Sinfornia.
On radio she has presented music programmes on BBC Radio 2 and Woman's Hour for BBC Radio 4. She produced the documentary series The Task Of Mankind for BBC Two and also worked for BBC One and BBC Two. Foster also produced Challenge Anneka for Children In Need in 1987. She was also a science reporter for various public broadcasting stations across America. Foster joined BBC Radio Newcastle in 1993 to host programmes such as Colour Supplement on a Saturday morning and Sunday Breakfast. She is currently a presenter on the station, hosting the weekly gardening show Garden Mania on Sunday mornings for over 30 years. She has presented programmes from RHS Chelsea Flower Show and worked alongside Alan Titchmarsh. Her co-presenter includes gardening expert John Guy. Previous co-hosts alongside Foster on the programme included former gardening experts Stan Timmins and Eddie Wardrobe. As of November 2023, the show also broadcasts on BBC Radio Tees. Foster often gives advice and talks at flower shows, events and school across the North East of England.
Foster sung with The Who when they released Tommy, performing the first stage performance alongside the English Chamber Choir at London's Rainbow Theatre. Radio Times - Marian Foster - Face behind the voice - I sung with The Who 24 May 2025, page 122
In 2017, Foster appeared on Peter Seabrook's podcast This Week In The Garden.
In 2025, Foster was interviewed for the Radio Times Face Behind The Voice feature. In September, Foster attended the annual Northumbria In Bloom Awards as a guest, as well as interviewing winners and finalists for her BBC Garden Mania radio programme. Radio Times - Marian Foster - Face behind the voice 24 May 2025, page 122
Foster is often a compère and judge for Northumbria In Bloom. Foster is the former President of the North of England Horticultural Society.
In September 2024, Foster was awarded The Chartered Institute of Horticulture's Northern Branch Commendation for 2024, in recognition of her tireless promotion of community horticulture in the North of England. The award was presented by Northern Branch Chairman Clive Parker CHort FCIHort on stage at the Northumbria in Bloom Awards Presentation, held at The Fed, Gateshead on Wednesday 18th September at which Marian was compere.
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