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Monty Don has said goodbye to Gardeners’ World after 24 years – and viewers are mourning the end of a relaxing, soothing era.
For many, the national treasure, 71, will forever be associated with the bucolic setting of the BBC show, but the presenter has hung up his shears to have a well-earned break.
At the end of Friday’s episode (6 November), Don thanked his fans, stating: “There has been one constant factor and that has been the incredible privilege and pleasure of sharing my garden and my gardening life with you here as well as working with so many superb people. Thank you for coming on that journey with me.”
Don was flooded with messages after the episode aired from viewers who said they had been reduced to tears over his departure, and the “overwhelmed and deeply moved” host shared his thanks on Instagram.
Among those honouring Don were broadcaster Jo Whiley, who has visited Don at his Longmeadow garden, Texas singer Sharleen Spiteri and his co-star Frances Tophill, who is in the running to replace Don in the role.
“Thank you for your endless kindness always,” Whiley said. “Much love Monty – hope you’re enjoying a glass of something nice and listening to Nick Drake.”
Spiteri wrote: “Thank you Monty for sharing your knowledge, your garden and your dogs over the years. To your next chapter.”
Tophill added: “Thank you for everything Monty. And relax! Here’s to your next adventures.”
There is no doubt that Don’s presence will be missed. Since taking over from lead presenter Alan Titchmarsh in 2002, Don has won over fans with the wisdom and knowledge he imparts from his garden at Longmeadow in Herefordshire.
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Over that time, his dogs have also become regular fixtures on the series, including golden retriever Nigel, who died in 2020, Brittany spaniel Peggy, who died in January 2026, Yorkshire terrier Patti, who died last month, and his current dog, Ned, another golden retriever.
He took a three-year break from the show after suffering a minor stroke in 2008.
In a new interview with Gardeners’ World Magazine earlier this month, Don shared the moment he knew it was right to leave the show.
He explained that the demands of the job go far beyond just filming. “The commute [to his garden at Longmeadow, where the show has been filmed since 2011] is delightfully short, but when I go home I take the job with me, seven days a week, 24 hours a day,” he said.
“Then, one day this summer, I woke up and knew it was time to stop. Simple as that. They say of sportspeople wondering when to retire, ‘You just know.’ Well, I just knew.”
In a statement announcing that the current series would be his last, Don said: “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.”
The announcement was met with an outpouring of love from fans of the show, including BBC’s chief content officer Kate Phillips who praised how open Don has been about his personal struggles with grief and depression, advocating for “the power of the natural world to improve mental health”.
Over the years, Don has been candid about his struggles with serious depression, which he has suffered from since his mid-twenties. He has spoken about how together with medication, gardening help his mental health immensely.
The BBC said Don’s replacement will be announced in due course.