Monty Don films final Gardeners' World episode after 23 years
Web StoryWatch this story in 15 seconds →Key takeaways
- Monty Don has filmed his final Gardeners' World episode at Longmeadow. He announced in September that he is leaving the show after 23 years.
- He is not retiring from TV. He has other BBC projects, books and plans on the way.
- Bookmakers have changed the odds on his replacement. Adam Frost and Frances Tophill are the names being tipped.
Monty Don has filmed his final episode of Gardeners' World. The 71-year-old posted on Instagram that the crew's last visit to Longmeadow is now done.
In September he announced that the current series would be his last. His 23-year run on the BBC programme was ending.
For millions of viewers, Friday nights will never feel quite the same.
What happened
The news broke on Instagram this month. Don shared a photo of the camera crew packing up in the Jewel Garden at Longmeadow.
He captioned it: "Filming today what will be the very last visit to Longmeadow."
He also posted a lighter snap. It showed his Golden Retriever Ned balancing on a stone dome.
The caption read: "Balancing act."
The post drew emotional replies from fans. One wrote that they feel "genuinely sad".
They said every Friday they look forward to hearing Monty say "Hello". That greeting calms them, no matter what their week was like.
Another called it "bittersweet" and thanked him for the years of gardening at Longmeadow.
Don first announced his exit last month. His statement said: "I have decided that the current series of Gardeners' World is to be my last."
He noted he began hosting 23 years ago. He started at Berryfields, then spent the past 16 years at Longmeadow.
He added that around 700 programmes had been a privilege to share. But, in his words, "now is the right time for a change".
Don joined the show in 2003. He took over as lead presenter from Alan Titchmarsh.
He is the show's longest-serving Head Gardener, according to the Bury Times.
His run was not without a pause. He suffered a minor stroke in 2008.
He then took a three-year break from the programme. The show moved to his private garden, Longmeadow, when he returned in 2011. It has been filmed there ever since.
Why it matters
Don changed how Britain watches gardening on TV. His calm style turned a weekly gardening slot into a Friday night habit. Fans speak of him as a friend who arrives at the end of the week.
His departure closes a chapter of about 700 programmes. That is an unmatched run for any presenter on the show.
He began at Berryfields in Buckinghamshire. He then spent 16 years welcoming viewers into his own home garden.
The exit also lands at a hard time in his life. He has been recovering from a knee replacement he described as "horribly painful".
In April he admitted he struggled to film because of the procedure. He expects to have another operation on his other knee in late 2027.
His dog Patti also died this year. The loss hit him hard.
On top of that, his two full-time gardeners may lose their jobs. He revealed this at the RHS Malvern autumn flower show.
The BBC paid part of their wages. That was in his contract since the show moved to Longmeadow in 2011.
"From day one it's been in my BBC contract that I have to have two full-time gardeners," he said. But the BBC's contribution ends with his exit.
He said he could not afford to pay the salaries alone "unless we earn money" from the garden.
He has ruled out opening Longmeadow to the public. It is a private space.
He plans to find ways to earn income from the garden. But that cannot start until the middle of 2027 at the earliest.
What happens next
Don is not walking away from TV. In his statement he made that clear.
He said: "I'm not retiring. I am leaving Gardeners' World, but I have other projects on the go."
He mentioned future books and new programmes. He also plans to keep sharing Longmeadow on Instagram.
Since the announcement he has also worked with the shoe brand New Balance. He modelled trainers inspired by "wild gardens".
Meanwhile, the show must find its next host. The race is already live with bookmakers. Regular contributors Adam Frost and Frances Tophill are being tipped as likely contenders, according to BritBrief.
Fans do not have to wait long for the next milestone. Episode 30 airs tonight, Friday October 23, at 9:00 PM on BBC Two.
Don will be at Longmeadow planting spring-flowering bulbs. He will also clear the greenhouse for winter storage.
That is the classic October rhythm of his presenting. Autumn is the season for planting spring bulbs, and for getting the greenhouse ready for frost. Those small jobs were his whole appeal: ordinary gardening, done well.
If his calm Friday style makes you want to try it yourself, start small. A windowsill herb garden is the easiest way to copy the Longmeadow feel at home.
The BBC has not yet confirmed the new presenter. The final episodes of this series will air through late October.
Then the 23-year era of Monty Don comes to a close. The garden stays. The show goes on.
But the voice that said "Hello" each Friday will be hard to replace.
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