Monty Don admitted he “got some stick” for a comment he made about his future on Gardeners’ World, a show he has presented for more than 20 years
Samantha Masters Content Editor
17:00, 24 Oct 2025
Monty Don addressed his Gardeners’ World future (Image: BBC)
Gardeners’ World host Monty Don has clarified an eyebrow-raising remark he previously made about his future on the much-loved BBC gardening show. In 2023, he suggested he might consider stepping back from the programme ahead of his 70th birthday, prompting concern among long-time viewers.
Reflecting on those comments the following year, Monty explained: “I got a bit of stick for that. I said it at the end of a very long year and I was exhausted. I can’t go on forever.”
However, he went on to reassure fans that he was staying put for now, adding to The Telegraph: “But I’d be very happy to do another five years. If the BBC renew my contract, I’d happily take it.”
More recently, he confirmed he had agreed to continue presenting for at least two more years, starting from January 2025.
Monty’s original comment came during a discussion about his career future on Times Radio. Aged 68 at the time, the gardening expert said “the logical thing to do” would be to eventually step away from the show.
“The serious point is I will be 70 in two years’ time,” he said.
Gardeners’ World star Monty Don ‘got some stick’ after making the comment (Image: GETTY)
“I want to go on. I like making television programmes. I like writing books. To have the energy to do that and not always feel like I’m scrabbling.”
Monty added that if he ever had to give up one of his commitments, it wouldn’t be his writing or “the travel stuff” he loves. “So therefore the logical thing to give up is Gardeners’ World, which is, for all its virtues, a remorseless treadmill,” he explained.
Rather than retiring entirely, he said he hoped to shift his focus towards travel documentaries – projects that have already taken him to gardens across America, Italy, France and beyond.
Looking ahead, Monty has already discussed who he’d like to see take over should he step down from his role.
He told The Guardian: “I would like to think the next Gardeners’ World presenter ideally would be female, would represent either singly or in multiplicity the diversity in this country, and have at least some urban context.
Monty Don with his long-term wife Sarah (Image: Corbis via Getty Images)
“The world’s changing; we need to change with it. In many ways, it’s likely I’m the last middle-aged, middle-class white male with a large garden doing Gardeners’ World, which is fine.”
Monty took over from Alan Titchmarsh as lead presenter in 2003. He briefly stepped away in 2008 due to illness, before returning in 2011.
He continues to film the show from his Longmeadow garden in Herefordshire, where he lives with his wife Sarah. The pair married in 1983 and share three children – two sons and a daughter.
The presenter returns to screens tonight with Monty Don’s Spanish Gardens at 7pm, followed by an episode of Gardeners’ World at 8pm on BBC Two.
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