Gardeners’ World host Monty Don issued an update after being struck down with the “terrible” illness on two occasions, which sparked get well soon wishes from his fans
Gardeners’ World host Monty Don felt ‘terrible’ after contracting the disease
Gardeners’ World presenter Monty Don has opened up about a health discovery he made during a trip with friends, after being struck down with Covid-19. Speaking last month, the 70-year-old said his olfactory abilities weren’t on par with his mates when they detected a smell during a trip to Greece.
After realising that he doesn’t have a strong sense of smell, Monty admits he’s “probably one of the worst people” to provide guidance on fragrances, and claimed his wife of more than four decades faces similar challenges.
“Perfume is almost lost on me, occasionally my wife has said, ‘Which perfume do you prefer?’ and they’re both exactly the same to me, or the difference is so small that’s it’s not interesting. So clearly that’s a lack, but there’s nothing I can do about it,” he shared.
Speaking on the Gardeners’ World Magazine podcast, he added: “Since Covid, my wife’s sense of smell has been dramatically affected, I mean really dramatically affected.
Monty Don issued an update about his wife Sarah’s Covid symptom
“She says that she can’t smell most of the things that she used to smell, but I think that even within my limited parameters, the smell of sweet peas is so evocative.”
In 2023, the renowned horticulturist received an outpouring of support from his fans after revealing that he was ill from Covid-19.
Posting alongside a picture of a positive Covid test, he wrote: “That would explain why I have felt terrible for the past couple of days.”
While recuperating at home, he shared with supporters that walking through his famous Longmeadow garden had provided the “best medicine”.
This marked the second occasion Monty had caught the virus, having previously been confined to bed for four days.
Addressing his followers, he described having Covid as anything but pleasant, remarking: “Boy, doesn’t it knock you sideways – utterly exhausting.”
Fortunately, Monty successfully battled the illness both times and resumed Gardeners’ World filming once he’d made a full recovery.
The BBC personality is no stranger to opening up about his health.
Monty Don has been open about his health issues over the years
During an appearance on Kate Thornton’s White Wine Question Time podcast in 2023, he praised his wife for supporting him through his struggle with seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
“It’s a lot to do with the greyness, the lack of light and the general sense of the world just pressing in on you and no energy,” he explained.
Describing a particularly difficult period when Sarah challenged him about his mental state, he continued: “Sarah said to me, ‘Look, I just can’t take any longer your moods and your black depression, you’ve got to do something about it because if you don’t, I can’t live with you – I’ll take the children and I’ll go’.”
Following professional support, Monty developed fresh strategies to manage his emotions, explaining: “I now have a pattern whereby I try and spend one day a week on my own in the garden, which is obviously usually a weekend, one of the two weekend days.”
Gardeners’ World continues tonight at 8pm on BBC Two.