Presenter Monty Don has been a staple on various BBC gardening shows since 2003.
09:09, 23 Mar 2026Updated 09:10, 23 Mar 2026
Monty Don made his Chelsea Flower Show debut in 2025(Image: BBC)
BBC star Monty Don has shared one aspect of his career that he’d never do again after recently opened up on his retirement plans.
While appearing on BBC Breakfast on Monday (March 23), the 70-year-old host, best known for being one of the presenters on Gardeners’ World, spoke to Jon Kay and Sally Nugent about the upcoming annual event, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
As Jon touched on this year’s event, lifting the ban on gnomes, he asked where he stood on the quirky ornaments.
The Gardeners’ World star replied: “All power to everybody’s elbow, whatever makes you happy. I don’t feel snooty about gardening, actually.
The BBC star spoke to Jon Kay and Sally Nugent on Breakfast (Image: BBC)
“I like poking sticks and rattling cages, but in the end, it’s a broad church, there’s room for everybody.”
Jon joked that he may have a rival this year, as the BBC star touched on the reports that David Beckham could be joining Chelsea for a display of his own.
Monty said: “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)
“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 asked if he had any advice for the football legend, Monty told the BBC presenters that if he is taking part, David needs to give himself to the project completely.
He said: “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.”
Last year, BBC viewers saw Monty take on the challenge of creating Dog-friendly space at the Chelsea Flower Show.
Monty made his space at the Chelsea Flower Show dog-friendly (Image: Getty Images)
Although the presenter has fronted coverage of RHS Chelsea for many years, 2025 was his first-ever display.
At the time, he commented: “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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