Monty

Appearing at an RHS event, Monty Don admitted he will have to find a new way to finance the maintenance of his two-acre garden at Longmeadow following his Gardeners’ World exit

Television legend Monty Don has admitted he may be forced into making a major change at Longmeadow following his departure from Gardeners’ World. Monty, 71, is leaving the show after over 20 years of leading the programme.

However, during a talk at the RHS Malvern autumn show, Monty revealed his soon-to-be former employer, the BBC, had been contributing to the salaries of two gardeners who have worked at Longmeadow since 2011.

Speaking at the RHS event, Monty said the reason for having the team was so the garden could always look “camera ready” if he was away filming in another country, or working on another project.

With his Gardeners’ World exit in mind, Monty, who has lived at Longmeadow in Herefordshire with his wife Sarah since 1991, has said there will come a moment where he will need an alternative plan to keep Longmeadow in shape.

He said: “The BBC pays a contribution towards their wages. Not enough, but they do pay something, which is great. Obviously that contribution is going to go.

“I will have to think of ways – I can’t afford it unless we earn money from it – so I am going to think of ways of earning something from the garden, but I can’t do that until the middle of next year at the earliest.”

Monty, who announced his intention to leave Gardeners’ World in an Instagram video, said he had decided to step away from the renowned show as he felt it was “the right time for a change”.

As well as paying tribute to the “superlative BBC team”, he added: “I look forward to continuing to work with and for the BBC on other projects, as well as following new avenues. And of course, I will still be gardening, dog by side, here at Longmeadow.”

Monty’s exit has subsequently led to speculation about who would replace him, with plenty of candidates from the existing Gardeners’ World team.

Months prior to Monty’s announcement, as questions continued to be asked about how long he would stay on the show, Frances Tophill, 36, was asked how she would feel about potentially replacing him.

Although she has been part of the team for over a decade, Frances ruled herself out of following in Monty’s footsteps, with the latter taking over from Alan Titchmarsh in 2003.

Speaking to the Sunday Times, Frances admitted to having little interest as she saw her main job as being a gardener rather than a presenter.

She said: “I have a huge respect for Monty – it is such a generous thing to give your garden space to the nation and he does it so well. I hope he never leaves….Broadcasting is not my day job, my day job is being a gardener.”

Frances’ comments came after she got a taste of what life as the main presenter would be like when she found herself surrounded by people in a garden centre after deputising for Monty during one episode in 2023. She added: “That’s when I got a glimpse of what being Monty must be like… I don’t want that.”

Monty Python star Eric Idle appeared on Monday’s The One Show to talk about his new book Idle in Provence: A Brief History of Thyme

Monty Python star Eric Idle was left confused over a The One Show detail.

The actor, comedian, musician and writer, 83, appeared on Monday’s episode of the BBC programme to talk about his new book Idle in Provence: A Brief History of Thyme. It comes as a Monty Python ‘row’ has erupted between John Cleese and Eric in recent days.

As Eric was introduced to The One Show, the comedy star grilled hosts Alex Jones and Roman Kemp, asking: “Can I ask you a question? I mean, this is called The One Show, right?”

To which the duo confirmed this fact, a confused Eric then pointed out: “There’s two of you!” with Alex, 49, responding: “I know!” and Roman, 33, replying: “Fair, that’s fair!”

Alex then quipped: “I know, they need us both!” with Eric joking: “A spare? Is that what you said?” Alex then continued: “If one of us passes out, you know, there’s somebody else there.” Roman then joked: “I’m just a passenger, Eric, that’s all!”

Also on Monday’s show were Jack Whitehall and Daisy Edgar-Jones. Jack, 38, said of being on the sofa alongside Eric: “He’s an absolute icon! One of my comedy heroes and this is a privilege to be here with the great Eric Idle!”

During his time on the show, Eric spoke about his new book and his property in the south of France, which he purchased in 1971 and has spent 50 years renovating.

Over the years, Eric has hosted some very famous guests at his French home, including the late Robin Williams and David Bowie, as he recalled stories that included the duo on Monday’s show.

Host Roman said: “You mentioned so many other famous friends in the book as well and it’s your way, you say, of keeping their memory alive.”

To which Eric replied: “Well you know people say: ‘Oh, you’re name dropping!’ and I say: ‘Well, you’re not name dropping when they’re dead, it’s history’ and actually very interesting people both of them.

“Extraordinarily interesting people and David an extraordinary man. I mean polymath, he knew everything about music, art, literature, the whole lot!”

The One Show airs on weeknights at 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

JEREMY Clarkson has backed an Instagram influencer to take over Gardener’s World following Monty Don’s shock exit.

Don announced his departure earlier this week after 23 years on the show.

Writing in his column for The Times, Jeremy has called upon the BBC to carefully consider who will be Don’s replacement.

The former Top Gear presenter reflected on the gardening show tenderly, calling it a “pixelated comfort food”.

However, Jeremy made a surprising suggestion as to who could fill Don’s shoes.

He said: “So, for the new host, might I recommend that the producers trawl the staff in the nation’s garden centres for candidates. Or check out a girl called Chloe from Blooms & Greens on Instagram.”

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Chloe, who boasts 672,000 followers online, is famed for her gardening videos.

She offers short snippets of her tending to her organic vegetable garden or floral bouquet creations.

And it seems Jeremy is not the only fan, with one of her videos racking up 2.3million views.

He said: “This is a show that’s watched by a certain type of people. And it should be presented and written and produced by that sort of person.”

He likened her to Don himself, but 50 years his junior, Irish, and a woman.

Speaking of his own gardening skills, Jeremy confessed to being less garden-native than the beloved host.

He called himself “the only person in human history ever to kill a spider plant.”

And that was not his only planting frustration he reflected on – one time he bought a Baobab tree seed from Morocco.

The same seed refused to grow until he passed it onto his gardener, Shaun, where it is now thriving under his care.

Jeremy also delved into the time he planted 50 Christmas trees, only for 47 of them to grow too tall to be of any use.

He said: “But despite this ineptitude, I do watch Gardeners’ World and that’s why I was sad this week to hear that after 23 years, Monty is leaving the show.”

With the BBC likely currently having conversations about Don’s replacement, Jeremy weighed in with his concerns on the topic.

He said: “I have the most horrible feeling that whoever gets the gig will not be the sort of person who wears corduroy.”

He suggested, if not Chloe, then producers try garden centres to find a host.

Jeremy added: “What they need to remember is that Gardeners’ World is a show about gardening, for sure, but it’s also a state of mind.”

Monty Don recently quit Gardener’s World after more than two decades but has now landed something new, teaming up with one of the most famous footwear brands in the country

Monty Don has landed a new job just days after quitting Gardener’s World. The TV star,71, is best known for having fronted the BBC agricultural programme, and on air for more than two decades.

But he stepped down from the position earlier this week, and is already onto pastures new as he is the new face of New Balance shoes, following the launch of the launch of the footwear company’s Flimby Garden in Cumbria.

A spokesperson said: “A permanent garden curated by Bleue Burnham for the people behind the New Balance Made In UK at its factory in Flimby, Cumbria.

“Created as a dedicated space for rest, reflection and connection, the garden brought New Balance’s manufacturing heritage with Burnham’s distinctive creative language and longstanding relationship with the natural world.”

Just days ago, the presenter said the time had come for change and he was ready for his next adventure, but promised his fans that the move does not signal the end of his TV career.

Monty 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.

“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.”

Born in Germany and raised in England, Monty made his television debut on This Morning in 1989 after his home garden was featured in several publications. After repeat appearances, he got additional TV work on BBC shows Holiday and Tomorrow’s World.

He also began putting his ideas and tips into words, and has published over 25 books since 1990. In 2002, he was recommended by Alan Titchmarsh to replace him as the lead presenter of Gardeners’ World. Monty then became the first self-taught horticulturist presenter in the show’s history.

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