Monty Don will step down at the end of the current series.
The BBC has announced that Monty Don will be leaving Gardeners’ World after over 20 years on the show. After featuring in over 700 episodes, the horticulturist has decided that now is the “right time for a change”.
Being the show’s longest serving head gardener, Monty first joined the programme back in 2003. Sharing his love and passion for gardening with viewers for over two decades, the 71-year-old has admitted that being on the show has been a “privilege”.
With millions of viewers tuning in each week to take in Monty’s wisdom, he has confessed that he won’t be disappearing entirely from our TV screens. For now, fans of Gardeners’ World will be able to watch the horticulturist and his dog until the end of the current season.
Speaking to the BBC about his departure, 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, Longmeadow.
“Throughout that time – and around seven hundred 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.”
He added: “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.”
During his 23 years on the programme, Monty first welcomed viewers into his own garden in 2011. Audiences were then taken weekly to Longmeadow in Herefordshire as Monty shared the highs and lows of trying to maintain a garden and motivating it to flourish.
Along with showing practical gardening advice throughout each of the seasons and their varying weather systems, he was always followed close behind by his much-loved dogs.
While fans will be sad to see Monty go, he has revealed that he won’t be disappearing completely. He added: “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.”
BBC’s chief content officer Kate Phillips has shared that the team will miss the head gardener “hugely” and has thanked him for his honesty and kindness over the years.
She wrote: “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!”
Gardeners’ World will continue to air on BBC Two on Fridays at either 8pm or 9pm depending on the TV schedule.
