Gardeners’ World presenters Monty Don and Alan Titchmarsh have always been thought of as friends, but it seems that their relationship has been strained over the years
Alan Titchmarsh insists he’s ‘not bitter’ after being replaced by Monty Don(Image: Mark Cuthbert, UK Press via Getty Images)
Contrary to popular belief, Alan Titchmarsh and Monty Don, both horticultural aficionados, have reportedly experienced tension away from the public eye.
Despite Alan’s apparent enthusiasm for Monty taking over as host of Gardeners’ World in 2003 after his own six-year tenure, rumours suggest their camaraderie has waned following several incidents.
Alan Titchmarsh, a stalwart in the world of horticulture, first presented the Chelsea Flower Show in 1983, reports the Express.
In the 1990s, Alan was hailed as the ‘king of Gardening’, presenting major gardening programmes on the BBC, including Gardeners’ World and Ground Force, where he, Charlie Dimmock, and Tommy Walsh would transform gardens.
Alan Titchmarsh and Monty Don have competed for various gardening presenter roles for years (Image: Gardeners World)
When Alan decided to step down from Gardeners’ World in 2003, he nominated Monty as his successor, a move that led to a surge in the show’s popularity and further success for Monty, who is now 69.
On the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine YouTube channel, Alan reflected: “I was asked when I left who I would recommend.”
Don was taken aback when Alan Titchmarsh revealed he’s backed Monty, responding with: “Did you? That’s the first time!” as Alan added: “And I said ‘You need an anchorman and I think your best bet is Monty Don’.”
Meanwhile, Alan was a staple presenter for the BBC’s coverage of the Chelsea Flower show annually until he felt compelled to leave in 2013.
Monty Don is a firm telly favourite(Image: PA)
In a conversation with the Telegraph at that time, Alan remarked: “My decision to step down from presenting next year’s BBC Chelsea Flower Show programmes was taken for one reason only: I was not offered the chance to present the breadth of coverage that I had previously undertaken.”
He continued: “Feeling that I would be unable to undertake the presentation of the show to the best of my ability led me to step aside.”
He disclosed that he was informed his role would be reduced, stating: “I was told that these programmes had already been offered to another presenter.”
Alan ‘had to refuse’ the offer of presenting BBC’s Chelsea Flower Show coverage(Image: Ferdaus Shamim, WireImagevia Getty Images)
Unbeknownst to him at the time, Monty Don was set to take over his role. Reflecting on the change to Radio Times in 2014 and discovering who succeeded him, he shared: “Yes, I suppose I was hurt, because I know people enjoy it as much as I loved doing it.
“Was I dumped for Monty Don? You might say that I couldn’t possibly comment. They made me an offer I had to refuse. It’s up to them, I’m not bitter.”
Subsequently, Monty Don embarked on a UK tour with his ‘Audience With’ show, offering fans a glimpse into his life beyond the programme and his interests outside of horticulture.
In the meantime, Alan Titchmarsh launched a new programme in 2020 on ITV1 titled ‘Love My Weekend’, which rapidly gained popularity among viewers.