Monty Don has opened up on the moment that he realised it was time to leave Gardeners’ World.
Don, the programme’s longest-serving head gardener, said the show had been a “deeply rewarding experience” but believed “now is the right time for a change”.
Monty Don has opened up on the moment he realised it was time to exit the show
PA
Explaining the choice in Gardener’s World magazine, the 71-year-old said: “The commute is delightfully short, but when I go home I take the job with me seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
“Then, one day this summer, I woke up and knew it was time to stop. Simple as that. They say of sportspeople wondering when to retire, 'You just know.' Well, I just knew.”
He said that his exit from the popular BBC show will allow him to spend his time on other projects and stressed that he is not retiring.
Monty Don also stressed that he is not retiring
“There are programmes I want to make, books I want to write, family I want to spend more time with.
“My enthusiasm for visiting gardens of all kinds all over the world remains as keen as ever.
“But the time for these things is growing limited.”
First joining the programme in 2003, Monty has since inspired millions of viewers with his warmth, wisdom and passion for gardening.
Monty Don has filmed his final episode of the show
Getty
He began presenting the BBC show at Berryfields, a rented garden in Stratford-upon-Avon, before moving to his own garden, Longmeadow in Herefordshire in 2011, where he has presented ever since.
He shared a photo of the camera crew packing up in the Jewel Garden at his Herefordshire garden.
“Filming today what will be the very last visit to Longmeadow,” he captioned the Instagram post.