Monty Don is stepping away from Gardeners’ World, bringing to a close more than two decades as the BBC programme’s longest-serving Head Gardener.
The 71-year-old broadcaster revealed on Tuesday that the show’s current run will be his final series.
Don first joined Gardeners’ World in 2003, and from 2011 he has invited viewers into Longmeadow, his much-loved garden at his Herefordshire home, on a weekly basis.
His decision follows a difficult period of ill health, after he underwent what he described as “horribly painful” knee surgery late last year, having endured years of discomfort caused by decades spent kneeling while gardening.
The announcement marks a notable shift from comments he made as recently as March, when the veteran presenter said he could not picture himself retiring and was in talks to remain with the flagship BBC gardening show until at least 2028.
Sharing the news in an Instagram video alongside his golden retriever Ned, Don told followers that “it’s time for a change,” saying there would “no doubt” be new adventures ahead, but that for now “this is the end of a chapter.”
He said: “I have decided that the current series of Gardeners’ World is to be my last. I began hosting the programme 23 years ago, first at Berryfields and for the past 16 years here in my own garden.
Monty Don is leaving Gardeners’ World after more than 20 years as the longest-serving Head Gardener on the BBC favourite
‘Throughout that time – and around 700 programmes – I have had the privilege of sharing my own abiding passion for gardens and gardening with an equally passionate, and often equally knowledgeable audience.
‘That connection with millions, not just in Britain but across the world, who share a love of gardens, plants and the natural world is something I have always treasured and which I increasingly believe to be at the heart of a life well lived.
‘I have also always relished the craft of programme making and to do so, week in week out, as part of a superlative BBC team has been a deeply rewarding experience. But now is the right time for a change.
‘I look forward to continuing to work with and for the BBC on other projects, as well as following new avenues. There are more books to write, more programmes to make.
‘And of course, I will still be gardening, dog by side, here at Longmeadow.’
This spring, Monty announced his intention to keep working. ‘I hope I’m continuing, but as I come up to the end of every contract, I seriously consider how it fits the rest of my life,’ he told Saga Magazine.
‘Each time, it’s come down fairly and squarely that I’d like to continue. But there will come a time when either they’ll say, “No, thanks” or I’ll say, “It’s time for a change,” but neither of us, as far as I know, has reached that point yet.
Monty joined the show in 2003, and in 2011, he welcomed audiences weekly into his own garden
‘I genuinely don’t know what retirement would look like. I don’t play golf or tennis, and I can’t see myself doing the crossword all day… I like work.’
Monty revealed in the same interview though that he was struggling after undergoing ‘horribly painful’ knee surgery at the end of last year that left him barely able to walk.
The presenter went under the knife after his 70th birthday, explaining he had been in pain after decades of kneeling in the garden.
He said he could ‘barely walk upstairs’ and struggled to walk his dogs after a day of filming.
Monty opted to go under the knife because it was ‘severely limiting’ what the presenter was able to do and to help him ‘keep on working’ without ‘limping’ on camera but told Saga his recovery was ‘inexplicably’ painful.
‘However you do it, a knee replacement is horribly painful, but three months on I’m gardening again and haven’t walked with a stick for a month,’ he said.
‘[My wife] Sarah says I’ve been doing far too much stuff, but it’s fine and going to plan – though it can be inexplicably painful one day and then not at all another.
He added that his doctor has advised he have the same surgery on his other knee in the future, but he would only have it ‘when I can fit it in’
‘At some point, I’m going to have to do the other one – but only when I can fit it in, probably late 2027,’ he said at the time.
In April, Monty shed light on his depression battle and how his mental health affected his marriage and career.
He spoke to Gyles Brandreth on The Rosebud podcast about how the failure of his jewellery business led him into a ‘shameful’ hole of depression – which saw his wife Sarah Erskine, whom he married in 1983, threaten to leave him.
He revealed Sarah said she would leave with their three children if he did not seek help, saying: ‘I was angry, difficult and not somebody you want to live with.’
Monty said: ‘She came to me one day and said, “Look, either you move out or I’m taking the children and moving out. I’m with you, I love you, I’m not leaving you, but we can’t go on living with you like this”.’
Kate Phillips, BBC’s Chief Content Officer, said on Tuesday: ‘Monty’s decision to leave Gardeners World is one I respect, but I’m still very sad he’s leaving. Monty is utterly unique, a wonderfully engaging broadcaster with a soothing, calm presence who has inspired so many with his passion for gardening.’
‘We are a nation full of budding gardeners, and his tips and advice have been invaluable to viewers for more than 20 years and have certainly helped me increase my knowledge as well as my plant survival rate!’
‘I would like to thank Monty personally for his honesty and kindness which has seen him open-up about his own personal struggles and the power of the natural world to improve mental health.’
‘We will miss him on the show hugely. Monty will be presenting BBC Gardeners World from his beautiful LongMeadow gardens until the end of the year, and I look forward to working with him on the BBC on future projects.’
Sharon Fisher, BBC Studios Series Editor, Gardeners’ World, who has worked with Monty for the past 20 years said: ‘Monty’s contribution to Gardeners’ World has been extraordinary.’
‘Through his warmth, wisdom and deep love of gardening, he has inspired millions to discover the pleasure and purpose that getting your hands into the soil can bring. I have seen first-hand the care, integrity and generosity he brings to everything he does.’
‘His departure marks the end of a remarkable chapter in the programme’s history. All of us on the Gardeners’ World team, will miss him enormously, but we celebrate everything he has given to the programme, the gardening community and the audience who have welcomed him into their homes every week for over two decades.’
Audiences will still be able to see Monty broadcast from Longmeadow until later this year.
