Adam Frost has paid tribute to one of his former co-stars, Geoff Hamilton, who was his mentor on the BBC’s Gardeners’ World. In 1990, Adam, who was 21 at the time, replied to a job advert seeking “a young landscaper required for a television garden in Rutland”, which is when he first crossed paths with Geoff.
Gardeners’ World has been presented by a wide range of experts over the years. Ken Burras took on the debut role until Percy Thrower took over. Arthur Billitt was then in charge until 1979, which is when Geoff fronted the BBC programme. And to mark what would have been his 90th birthday, BBC Four is celebrating his legacy in a night dedicated to the iconic presenter.
Adam, who followed in Geoff’s footsteps, fondly remembered, “You could just sense Geoff was slightly different. There was a presence, a confidence, I could tell he cared passionately about his work. I was captivated.”
He added to the Radio Times, “My relationship with my old man was never great, and Geoff was someone to look up to. He had a lot of his family working for him, a strong moral compass, and he knew what he was trying to do.”
When speaking about the moment he found out Geoff had died, Adam stated, “My world turned upside down.”
He even recalled telling his son recently that he “still misses him”.
Geoff first started making guest appearances on Gardeners’ World in the 1970s, becoming its regular presenter in 1979. In 1985, he was responsible for moving the show’s venue to his own garden at Barnsdale, Oakham, Rutland.
He once said: “I’ve been gardening for more than 50 years now and I still can’t get over that excitement every year, when you look over the trays of seedlings you planted out and wonder if they are going to come through – and they do.”
He died in 1996, aged just 59, after suffering a heart attack while taking part in a charity cycle run.
During a 2020 interview, Adam spoke about stepping into the shoes of his hero and whether Monty Don, the current lead presenter, had given him any advice.
“I wasn’t the best-behaved young man in the world,” Adam said previously to Radio Times.
“Geoff had this moral compass, and he set me straight. So, to end up… Just to do one show… I’m welling up.”
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