Gardeners’ World star Monty Don spoke to Jon Kay and Sally Nugent during the latest BBC Breakfast.
Tianna Corbin TV Reporter
12:24, 23 Mar 2026
Monty Don made his Chelsea Flower Show debut in 2025(Image: BBC)
BBC presenter Monty Don has revealed one particular aspect of his professional life that he wouldn’t repeat, having recently discussed his future retirement plans.
During his appearance on BBC Breakfast on Monday (March 23), the 70-year-old broadcaster, famously recognised as one of the faces of Gardeners’ World, chatted with BBC’s Jon Kay and Sally Nugent about the forthcoming annual occasion, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
When Jon mentioned this year’s show, noting the removal of the gnome prohibition, he enquired about the presenter’s views on the decorative figurines.
The Gardeners’ World host responded: “All power to everybody’s elbow, whatever makes you happy. I don’t feel snooty about gardening, actually.”
The BBC star spoke to Jon and Sally on Breakfast(Image: BBC)
He continued: “I like poking sticks and rattling cages, but in the end, it’s a broad church, there’s room for everybody.”
Jon playfully suggested he might face competition this year, referencing speculation that David Beckham could be participating at Chelsea with his own garden installation, reports the Mirror.
Monty remarked: “Oh, good, well maybe he’d like to do Gardeners’ World? I did Chelsea Gardens last year. I’ll tell you what, if he’s going to do it, by the time he’s done, he’s going to be one tired man.”
Monty Don made his Chelsea Flower Show debut in 2025(Image: BBC)
He elaborated: “It’s a hell of a thing, it’s a major operation. It’s very full on, really full on and a wonderful experience, but I’d never do it again.”
When questioned about potential guidance for the former footballer, Monty advised the BBC hosts that should David be involved, he must commit himself entirely to the endeavour.
He declared: “Forget your family, forget the rest of your life, you’re going to spend 24 hours a day working on it. I’m really looking forward to seeing it, I’ll be there.”
The BBC star made his Chelsea Flower Show debut in 2025(Image: Getty Images)
Last year, BBC viewers watched Monty tackle the task of creating a dog-friendly space at the Chelsea Flower Show.
Despite having led coverage of RHS Chelsea for numerous years, 2025 marked his first-ever exhibit.
At that time, he remarked: “This is an irresistible opportunity to join with the RHS and BBC Radio 2 to share my love of gardens and dogs at the world’s greatest horticultural event.
“Along with the superb team headed by Jamie Butterworth, we shall be making a garden that is inspired by Longmeadow and my own dogs, but above all a celebration of the way that so many of us share our gardens with our canine companions.”
BBC Breakfast is available to watch on BBC One weekdays from 6am.
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