Monty Don has said the current series of Gardeners’ World will be his last, bringing to an end a run of more than two decades as the BBC programme’s head gardener.
End of a long-running presenting role
The BBC confirmed the broadcaster’s announcement on Tuesday, saying Don has “inspired and guided millions” since joining the show in 2003. He has presented from his own garden, Longmeadow in Herefordshire, each week since 2011.
In a statement, Don said he had decided that the current series would be his last after 23 years as host, during which he featured in around 700 programmes. He described the experience of sharing his passion for gardens with a global audience as a privilege and said he cherished the connection with viewers who love plants and the natural world.
“I have decided that the current series of Gardeners’ World is to be my last. I began hosting the programme 23 years ago… 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.”
Don paid tribute to the BBC team behind the programme, calling them “superlative”, and said that while now felt like the right time for a change, he looked forward to continuing to work with and for the corporation on other projects. He added that he intended to pursue more writing and television work and, importantly, to keep gardening “dog by side” at Longmeadow.
Reaction from the BBC and public profile
Kate Phillips, the BBC’s chief content officer, said she was “very sad” to see Don leave and praised his calming presence and the way he had inspired gardeners across the nation. The BBC emphasised his influence on viewers’ gardening knowledge and practice during his tenure.
Throughout his time on the programme, Don has been candid about his own mental health challenges, a subject he has raised in public over the years while remaining an influential figure in British horticulture.
What changes might follow
Don’s departure will prompt questions about the future presentation of Gardeners’ World, a fixture of BBC schedules and a programme that has helped to popularise gardening across several generations. The corporation has not announced a successor or detailed plans for the show beyond the current series.
- Tenure: 23 years as presenter (since 2003)
- Home garden: Longmeadow, Herefordshire, on air since 2011
- Output: Around 700 episodes during his time on the programme
Don’s statement emphasised continuity in his relationship with the BBC and his ongoing engagement with gardening, rather than a complete withdrawal from public life. He signalled ambitions for more books and programmes, while underlining his intention to remain active at Longmeadow.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Joined Gardeners’ World | 2003 |
| Presented from Longmeadow | Since 2011 |
| Approximate episodes | ~700 |
| Years as host | 23 |
For viewers and the wider gardening community, Don’s decision marks the end of a familiar era. The BBC will need to decide whether to refresh the show’s format or continuity of voice, and how best to retain the audience that has followed Don’s guidance for more than two decades. Don himself has framed the change as selective: the end of a presenting role but not of a career in horticultural broadcasting and writing.
The corporation’s next steps — whether naming a new lead presenter, rotating guest hosts, or altering the programme’s format — are likely to be watched closely by gardeners and television audiences alike.
