Monty Don returns to Gardeners' World

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Posted: Tuesday 7 December 2010
by Adam Pasco

When the new series of Gardeners' World returns next spring we'll be welcoming back some familiar friends on a Friday evening.

Monty DonWhen the new series of Gardeners' World returns next spring we'll be welcoming back some familiar friends on a Friday evening. Monty Don returns as lead presenter, and this time he'll be presenting the programme from his own garden in Herefordshire.

This returns to a long tradition for Gardeners' World that started when Percy Thrower presented the very first Gardeners' World from The Magnolias, his home garden in Shrewsbury. Following Percy came Arthur Billitt from Clack's Farm, then Geoff Hamilton from Barnsdale, and Alan Titchmarsh from Barleywood.

Monty has spent the past 20 years developing his home garden, and while TV cameras have only occasionally visited, he regularly writes about it in Gardeners' World Magazine. What a pleasure it will be taking a closer look when the programme returns, and following its development week by week.

I love Monty's very practical, hands-on style of gardening, and the immense authority and trust with which he shares his knowledge. He really is a man of the soil, much in the same mould as the dearly loved and missed Geoff Hamilton. Monty is commited to organic gardening, as Geoff was, and has an appreciation of the seasonal cycle of gardening; he understands that gardening is an activity to be enjoyed over time, and isn't just about instant gratification.

In a statement Monty said: "Returning to Gardeners' World is a fantastic opportunity. I've really missed the programme so can't wait to get stuck in and get my hands dirty again." And that's one of Monty's strengths. When you see Monty in action you know that if you follow his example you too will be successful.

There are changes to the presenter line-up too, with Rachel De Thame joining Carol Klein and Joe Swift. What a team! It’s a perfect balance of passion, enthusiasm, knowledge and great personality.

Sadly it doesn’t look as if either Toby Buckland or Alys Fowler will be returning in the new series, but I do hope they won’t be off our screen for long.

Despite taking a short break from TV to recoup after falling ill in May 2008, Monty has continued to write every month for Gardeners' World Magazine. We'll be developing exciting plans with Monty and the other presenters for the magazine and web site, and bringing these to life at BBC Gardeners' World Live in June.

So, looking forward to 2011, Gardeners' World will remain essential weekly viewing for gardeners up and down the land!

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Hostafan1 07/12/2010 at 18:14

I can't believe this! Rachel is clearly only there because she's beautiful. She has nothing like the experience or knowledge of Toby. As for Monty? well it'll be veg veg and more veg. If there has to be a change, why go backwards and not forwards with brand new presenters? There are lots of people with a good horticultural background who should be given a chance.

crox 07/12/2010 at 18:36

Oh no im not happy about Toby and Alys leaving!!!!!!!!!!

Green Gardener 07/12/2010 at 18:47

Brilliant news! Great getting Monty back, and now we have Carol, Joe and Rachel. I'm also pleased Gardeners' World will now be coming from a real garden. This will make such a difference. Of course it has been nice seeing Carol in her garden, but I've always thought that the home of Gardeners' World should be in the lead presenters garden. Can't wait for the new series to start in the spring!

Furzey 07/12/2010 at 19:10

We had grown to like Toby's approach and always felt that it was an uphill struggle with Monty Don. You would have a job to beat Alan in the job, I could watch him potting up plants forever, it was so relaxing. Shame he did not want the job. Not sure how I feel about the new series, Rachel is more eye candy and roses than much else and Carol bangs on about free plants all the time and not much else, she has got to be good for more than that.

nicelittleplace 07/12/2010 at 19:13

I loved Toby Buckland's style - he was so normal and friendly> He reminded me of Alan Titchmarsh when I first started gardening and watching GW in the second half of the 90s. Now Alan is a more of a celebrity and so is Monty Don which somehow doesn't feel right to me for Gardeners World. I do love Monty Don's other programmes though and I will certainly be very interested to see more of his garden.

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