Monty Don is stepping away from Gardeners’ World after more than two decades as the BBC programme’s longest-serving presenter, bringing an era that has made him one of Britain’s best-known gardening personalities to a close.
The 71-year-old confirmed on Tuesday that the current series, filmed at his beloved Longmeadow garden in Herefordshire, will be his final run on the programme.
Don joined Gardeners’ World in 2003 and has since presented around 700 episodes, becoming a familiar presence in homes across Britain and beyond.
A 23-Year Journey Comes to an End
Don shared the news in an Instagram video featuring his golden retriever, Ned, telling followers that “it’s time for a change” and hinting that he has further projects ahead.
Reflecting on his long association with the BBC show, he said he had decided that the current series would be his last.
He began presenting the programme at Berryfields before eventually making Longmeadow the centre of his television work.
Since 2011, viewers have been regularly invited into his own garden, where he shared practical advice alongside his distinctive approach to gardening and the natural world.
Don Says the Audience Made the Experience Special
Looking back on his time on the programme, Don described his relationship with viewers as one of the most rewarding aspects of his career.
He said the opportunity to share his passion for gardens, plants and nature with an audience that was equally enthusiastic had been a privilege.
The presenter also praised the BBC production team, saying he had enjoyed the craft of making the programme week after week.
Despite leaving the flagship gardening show, Don made clear that he does not intend to disappear from broadcasting or publishing.
He said there were still books to write and programmes to make, while assuring fans that he would continue gardening at Longmeadow with his dogs by his side.
Retirement Had Not Been Part of His Immediate Plans
The announcement comes as something of a surprise because Don had spoken earlier this year about continuing with Gardeners’ World for several more years.
In a March interview with Saga Magazine, he revealed that he was in discussions about extending his role until at least 2028.
At the time, he admitted that he regularly reconsidered whether the programme still fitted into his life whenever a contract approached its end.
Don said he had repeatedly concluded that he wanted to continue working, adding that he could not easily imagine what retirement would look like because he enjoyed being busy.
However, he acknowledged that eventually either he or the BBC would decide that the time had come for a change.
Years of Gardening Took a Physical Toll
Don’s decision also comes amid ongoing problems with his knees, which he has attributed to decades of working in the garden.
After turning 70, he underwent knee replacement surgery in late 2025.
He later described the recovery as extremely painful and said the condition had begun to interfere significantly with his everyday life.
Before the operation, Don had struggled to walk upstairs and found it difficult to take his dogs for walks after filming.
He explained that his knee problems had become sufficiently restrictive that surgery was necessary if he wanted to continue working without constantly limping on camera.
By March, he said he had returned to gardening and no longer needed a walking stick, although the recovery continued to bring unpredictable pain.
Another Knee Operation Is Still Ahead
Don also revealed that doctors had advised him to undergo the same procedure on his other knee.
At the time, he suggested that he might have the second operation around late 2027, but only when his schedule allowed it.
His departure from Gardeners’ World now comes before that anticipated procedure.
The presenter has spent much of his professional life working closely with gardens, making the physical demands of gardening particularly relevant to his decision about the future.
BBC Pays Tribute to the Gardening Veteran
Kate Phillips, the BBC’s Chief Content Officer, said she respected Don’s decision but admitted that his departure was a sad moment for the broadcaster.
She praised his distinctive broadcasting style, describing him as an engaging presenter with a calm presence who had encouraged countless people to take an interest in gardening.
Phillips also credited Don with sharing his own struggles and discussing the positive influence of the natural world on mental wellbeing.
She said his advice had been valuable to viewers and even helped improve her own knowledge and ability to keep plants alive.
Gardeners’ World Team Celebrates His Contribution
Sharon Fisher, the BBC Studios Series Editor for Gardeners’ World, also paid tribute to Don after working alongside him for two decades.
She highlighted his warmth, knowledge and passion for gardening, saying he had encouraged millions of people to discover the enjoyment and sense of purpose that can come from working with soil and plants.
Fisher described Don’s departure as the conclusion of an important chapter in the show’s history and praised the care and generosity he had brought to his work.
Longmeadow Farewell Will Continue Through the Year
Although Don is leaving Gardeners’ World, viewers will not lose him immediately.
He will continue presenting the programme from Longmeadow until the end of the current series later this year, giving audiences the opportunity to see him return to the garden that has become synonymous with his television career.
Don is also expected to continue working with the BBC on other projects, meaning his exit from Gardeners’ World is not necessarily the end of his relationship with the broadcaster.
