For more than two decades, Monty Don has been one of the most comforting and familiar faces on British television. With his gentle voice, practical gardening advice, and beloved dogs wandering through the beautiful grounds of Longmeadow, he transformed BBC’s Gardeners’ World into something far more meaningful than an ordinary gardening programme.
But now, an extraordinary chapter has officially come to an end.
On Friday, November 6, 2026, the 71-year-old gardening legend presented his final regular episode of Gardeners’ World, bringing his remarkable 23-year association with the programme to an emotional conclusion.
For millions of viewers who have spent their Friday evenings watching him plant flowers, prune roses, and share the simple pleasures of nature, his departure feels like saying goodbye to an old friend.
And although Monty has reassured fans that he is not retiring completely, his farewell marks one of the most significant changes in the programme’s history.
From Humble Beginnings to Britain’s Most Beloved Gardener
Long before he became a household name, Monty Don had already developed a lifelong connection with gardening.
Born in Germany in 1955 and raised in Hampshire, England, Monty grew up surrounded by the countryside. He began gardening with his family as a child, although he later admitted that he initially considered it more of a chore than a passion.
That changed during his teenage years, when sowing carrot seeds helped him discover the satisfaction of growing something from the earth.
His professional journey, however, did not begin in horticulture.
After studying at Cambridge University, Monty and his wife, Sarah, established a successful costume jewellery business during the early 1980s. Their designs attracted prominent clients, including Princess Diana and Elton John.
Unfortunately, the business eventually collapsed in the early 1990s, leaving the couple facing serious financial difficulties.
During those challenging years, gardening became an important source of comfort and stability for Monty, helping him cope with personal struggles and periods of depression.
What began as a private passion would eventually become the foundation of an extraordinary broadcasting career.
How Monty Don’s Television Career Began
Monty’s first major television opportunity arrived in 1989 when he began presenting a gardening segment on ITV’s This Morning.
His natural enthusiasm, straightforward explanations, and unmistakable connection with plants quickly caught the attention of viewers.
Further broadcasting opportunities followed, including appearances on Tomorrow’s World and Holiday. He also developed a successful writing career, serving as gardening editor of The Observer from 1994 until 2006.
In 1999, he presented Fork to Fork, a gardening and cooking series featuring his wife, Sarah.
However, his career changed dramatically in 2003 when he succeeded Alan Titchmarsh as the lead presenter of BBC’s Gardeners’ World.
Initially broadcasting from Berryfields, a garden near Stratford-upon-Avon, Monty brought a distinctive approach to the programme.
Unlike presenters who emphasised picture-perfect gardens, he encouraged viewers to embrace experimentation, accept mistakes, and appreciate gardening as an ongoing relationship with nature.
His journey was not without setbacks. In 2008, Monty suffered a stroke and stepped away from presenting while recovering.
He returned in 2011, when the programme relocated to his own garden, Longmeadow, in Herefordshire.
From that moment, Longmeadow became almost as famous as Monty himself.
The End of an Era After 23 Years
Over the years, viewers watched Longmeadow develop through changing seasons, challenging weather, spectacular flowering displays, and countless planting projects.
They also grew attached to Monty’s four-legged companions, particularly Nigel, Nellie, and later Ned, whose appearances added warmth and personality to the programme.
Since joining Gardeners’ World in 2003, Monty has presented approximately 700 episodes, making him the programme’s longest-serving lead gardener.
His contribution extended beyond teaching practical skills.
For many viewers, his reassuring presence offered an escape from everyday pressures. His openness about mental health and the therapeutic benefits of gardening helped people understand that spending time outdoors can provide emotional comfort as well as physical enjoyment.
That connection explains why his departure has been so difficult for devoted fans to accept.
Departure Rumours Had Been Circulating — But This Time It Was Official
Speculation about Monty Don’s future on Gardeners’ World had circulated for several years.
As he approached his seventies, questions increasingly emerged about whether he would eventually step away from the demanding weekly programme.
In December 2024, however, Monty reassured viewers by confirming that he had agreed to continue presenting through the end of 2026.
Nevertheless, conversations about his eventual departure persisted.
Then, on September 8, 2026, the speculation finally became reality.
Monty and the BBC officially announced that the current series of Gardeners’ World would be his last.
In his statement, Monty reflected on the hundreds of episodes he had presented and the remarkable privilege of sharing his gardening life with audiences across Britain and around the world.
He described his experience working alongside the BBC production team as deeply rewarding but explained that he felt ready for a new chapter.
His decision was not presented as a dispute with the BBC or an abrupt departure. Instead, it was a personal choice after years of dedication to a programme that had become central to his life.
Speaking later about the demands of filming at Longmeadow, Monty explained that his responsibilities continued even when the cameras stopped rolling.
Despite working from his own property, the programme occupied his attention throughout the week.
Eventually, he reached a moment of clarity.
“I woke up and knew it was time to stop,” he explained.
BBC Chief Content Officer Kate Phillips expressed sadness at his decision while praising the warmth, knowledge, and kindness that had made him such an exceptional broadcaster.
Importantly, Monty’s departure does not mean he is leaving the BBC altogether.
Monty Don’s Emotional Final Goodbye to Fans
The emotional conclusion arrived on November 6, 2026, when Monty presented his final regular episode from Longmeadow.
The autumn setting provided a fitting backdrop, with the garden entering another period of seasonal change.
Throughout the programme, Monty continued doing what viewers had loved for decades: sharing gardening advice, celebrating the natural world, and reminding people of the pleasures found in even the smallest outdoor spaces.
But the closing moments carried particular significance.
Standing at Longmeadow with his beloved golden retriever Ned beside him, Monty reflected on his extraordinary journey.
He remembered beginning the programme at Berryfields before bringing viewers into his own garden 16 years earlier.
He acknowledged how much Longmeadow had changed and remembered the beloved dogs who had accompanied him over the years, including Nigel, Nellie, and Patti.
More importantly, he reflected on the bond he had developed with viewers and the privilege of sharing his private gardening life with millions of people.
Then came the words that made his departure unmistakably final.
“From myself, Ned, and Longmeadow it’s the final goodbye,” Monty told viewers.
He thanked everyone who had followed his gardening journey and wished them success and happiness with their own gardens.
His farewell ended simply: “So, for the last time. Goodbye.”
There was no elaborate ceremony or dramatic announcement.
Instead, Monty’s understated farewell reflected the quiet sincerity that had defined his television career.
For viewers who had followed him through decades of changing seasons, it was an emotional moment.
The plants will continue growing, Longmeadow will enter another spring, and Gardeners’ World will return. But Friday evenings without Monty Don at the helm will undoubtedly feel different.
What’s Next for Monty Don? His Plans After Gardeners’ World
Although his departure has saddened fans, Monty has been clear that he is not withdrawing from public life.
Following the September announcement, he posted another message thanking viewers for the overwhelming support he had received.
“I’m not retiring,” he reassured them.
He explained that he already had other projects in development and intended to continue sharing Longmeadow with followers through Instagram.
Monty has confirmed that he wants to continue making television programmes, writing gardening books, and exploring gardens around the world.
His relationship with the BBC will also continue.
During his final episode, he confirmed that he would remain involved in the BBC’s coverage of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2027.
He is also expected to appear in two winter television specials before Christmas 2026, including a celebratory programme reflecting on his years at Longmeadow.
Reports have additionally linked him to a proposed BBC travel series titled Island Gardens, although the project has not yet been formally announced.
Beyond television, Monty has expressed a desire to enjoy more time with his family and pursue opportunities that the demanding weekly schedule previously made difficult.
One challenge, however, concerns the future upkeep of Longmeadow.
Monty has revealed that the BBC’s financial contribution towards his gardening staff will end with his departure. He is therefore considering ways to generate income from the garden without opening his private home to public visitors.
Whatever direction his professional life takes, gardening will remain central to his future.
A Legacy That Will Continue to Grow
Monty Don’s departure from Gardeners’ World represents far more than a change of television presenter.
For 23 years, he helped generations of viewers discover the satisfaction of growing plants, caring for the environment, and finding peace in nature.
His greatest achievement may not be the hundreds of episodes he presented or the gardening books he published, but the countless people he inspired to pick up a trowel and begin gardening.
From the colourful borders of Longmeadow to the comforting presence of his beloved dogs, Monty created a television experience that felt personal, peaceful, and remarkably genuine.
And while the BBC must now prepare for a future without him leading its flagship gardening programme, his influence will remain deeply rooted in its history.
For millions of fans, Monty Don will always be the reassuring voice reminding them that every season brings new opportunities to grow.
Farewell, Monty. Thank you for 23 wonderful years of gardening, inspiration, and unforgettable Friday evenings. Your presence on Gardeners’ World will be greatly missed, but the gardens you inspired will continue to flourish.
