Gardeners’ World farewell: Monty Don’s 23 years end, but Chelsea and two winter specials remain

Monty Don’s Gardeners’ World farewell arrived on Friday 6 November, when the 71-year-old presented his final episode from Longmeadow, the garden that has been the show’s home for 16 years. Joined by his dog Ned, he closed the programme with the words: “From myself, Ned, and Longmeadow it’s the final goodbye.”

It ended a stint that began in 2003, when he took over from Alan Titchmarsh at Titchmarsh’s own request. The episode is available on BBC iPlayer.

A sign-off built around the garden and its dogs

Don did not use his last broadcast for a grand speech about his career. He spoke about the garden. He recalled starting out at Berryfields, the show’s earlier base, and moving to Longmeadow, and noted that “the garden has grown.” He also remembered Nigel, Nellie and Patty, the dogs who appeared alongside him in earlier years.

He described the “constant factor” as the “incredible privilege and pleasure” of sharing his garden and gardening life with viewers, and of working with “so many superb people.” His closing line was a message to the audience: “good luck with your own gardens in the future.”

Longmeadow is also his private home, which he and his wife Sarah bought in 1991. For viewers, that meant the line between presenter and gardener was always thin. Seasons of planting, mistakes and changes were played out in a real, lived-in space.

Why he is stepping back, and what he is still doing

Don announced in September that the current series would be his last. He called the job “deeply rewarding” but said “now is the right time for a change.” The Independent reports that he wanted a break from the relentless demands of the show, and that he will keep working with the BBC on other projects.

The Gardeners’ World farewell is therefore not a full disappearance. During the episode he confirmed he will remain on the presenting line-up for next year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. He will also appear in two winter specials expected before Christmas. One will be a celebratory episode in which he reflects on his years on the programme and how Longmeadow has changed.

Who takes over Gardeners’ World?

The BBC has not named a successor. It says details of the next series will come later. Bookmakers and viewers have pointed to regular co-presenters Frances Tophill and Adam Frost as leading contenders, although Tophill has played down expectations that she would step directly into his role.

Whoever gets the job inherits a format closely tied to one person’s garden and personality. Don has shown that the programme can survive a change of host, since he himself replaced a much-loved predecessor. He also showed it can survive an absence. After a minor stroke in 2008 he took a three-year break, and the show moved to his private garden when he returned.

Tributes and a long career

According to the Independent, Jo Whiley, Sharleen Spiteri and Tophill were among those who paid tribute after the broadcast. The BBC said earlier that he had “inspired and guided millions of viewers with his warmth, wisdom and passion for gardening.”

Before Gardeners’ World, Don’s television work included Tomorrow’s World, Holiday and a gardening slot on This Morning. He was made an OBE in 2018 for services to horticulture, broadcasting and charity, and has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Victoria Medal of Honour, the highest honour in horticulture.

For now, viewers have two more winter specials and a Chelsea appearance to look forward to. After that, the Gardeners’ World farewell will be complete, and the BBC will have to decide who stands in the garden next.

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File photo: Monty Don Left.jpg by jo-h, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.