The show and its presenters have brought comfort to millions of viewers over the years, but they too have experienced their fair share of sadness
Ravi Meah and Rebecca Jones
11:24, 18 Aug 2025Updated 11:43, 18 Aug 2025
Monty Don has hosted Gardeners’ World since 2003(Image: Brentwood Gazette)
Gardeners’ World is a national institution, led by the ever calm and enthusiastic Monty Don. The 70-year-old has been the face of the show since Alan Titchmarsh left for pastures new in 2003.
While the passionate plant expert and dog lover frequently shares uplifting content about cultivating the best plants and produce, he has weathered plenty of personal pain in recent times.
Covid setbacks
For instance, earlier this summer, Monty shared he was struck down by a “terrible” illness twice, prompting an outpouring of sympathy from his devoted audience. And back in 2023, he contracted Covid, prompting him to tell fans on his social media page: “That would explain why I have felt terrible for the past couple of days.”
This was the second occasion Monty had contracted the virus, having previously been bedridden for four days, when he informed supporters: “Boy, doesn’t it knock you sideways – utterly exhausting.”
Monty is besotted with his lovable Golden Retriever, Ned(Image: Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images)Sensory problems
While on a holiday to Greece with friends this year, Monty realised something did not smell right – literally. His ability to smell did not match those of his friends. And he was not alone as he revealed his wife Sarah’s sense of smell was “dramatically affected” since the Covid outbreak.
“Perfume is almost lost on me,” he once told the Gardeners’ World Magazine podcast. “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.”
Poignant goodbye
Earlier this year, Monty received an outpouring of support following his emotional farewell to a “dear friend”. He shared news of his companion’s death on Instagram, accompanied by a touching tribute.
Furthermore, he previously spoke about gardening’s therapeutic role during coping with death in a BBC Radio 4 interview. He said: “One of the things that has always moved me, and this has often been said by people who are grieving, is that the rhythm of the seasons is a huge comforter. In the bleakest midwinter, you trust that spring will come, that the blossom will appear.”
Cancer diagnosis
Meanwhile, a Gardeners’ World contributor named Steve recently revealed his devastating terminal cancer diagnosis on the show alongside his wife, Pippa. Audiences were left in tears as Steve disclosed it could be “two months or two years, possibly” before his death, reports the Express.
Despite this, his positive spirit remains intact, with Steve regarding his cancer as a “new challenge” during the poignant episode that broadcast earlier this month.
Watch Gardeners’ World on BBC Two and on the BBC iPlayer
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