Horticulturalist Monty Don has received a reminder from the BBC after accidentally flouting a rule while appearing on the beloved gardening programme. The renowned gardening expert was reminded of the Corporation’s guidelines, which stipulate that presenters must not appear on-air wearing clothing they have agreed to promote. This week, the dad-of-three was spotted wearing a Barbour jacket on Gardeners’ World while simultaneously featuring in an advertising campaign for the very same brand.
BBC guidelines on conflicts of interest state: “Presenters or other individuals must not appear on-air wearing clothing or using products or services which they have agreed/been contracted to promote, advertise or endorse or in which they have a specific financial interest.”
A BBC spokesperson later added: “We have clear guidelines around presenters’ commercial activities while working with the BBC, and Monty has been reminded of these guidelines.” Similar to Don, presenters were issued the same reminder after Gary Lineker appeared to wear outfits from his own fashion range during coverage of England’s opening Euro 2024 match.
He was seen sporting a pale green knitted T-shirt before changing into a sage green jacket at half-time. Both pieces bore a striking resemblance to garments from the Next X Gary Lineker collection, which was marketed as being “edited by the legendary man himself”.
Last Tuesday’s BBC Two programme (May 19), the dynamic duo were excited to reveal the winner for the RHS Chelsea Garden of the Year. The 70-year-old was attempting to “engage in subterfuge’ for a complete surprise to winner Sarah Eberle, who designed her garden for the Campaign to Protect Rural England.
He confessed: “My job was to distract the winner and make them feel they were having a normal interview with me about getting a gold medal, and why not?” Meanwhile, Rachel went backstage with the RHS director-general Clare Materson to prepare the prize.
While Sarah continued the interview, Rachel and Clare emerged from behind and presented the Garden of the Year Prize to her. It appeared as Monty and Rachel’s plan worked as the landscape gardener screamed: “Thank you, thank you so much! This is thanks to a brilliant team behind me, so thank you to them!”
As the crowd cheered, Monty turned to her and whispered under his breath: “I’m sorry for the deceit”, as Sarah chuckled: “Well, it seems it’s worth it. You completely fooled me.”
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