Monty Don is set to make his final appearance on Gardeners’ World this week, leaving fans wondering who will replace him.
The beloved gardener, 71, announced last month that he is leaving the BBC show after 23 years, saying it was the “right time for a change”.
Don’s final episode will air on Friday, with Adam Frost taking over as host for the final episode of the series next week before it picks up again in early 2027.
Ahead of Don’s farewell, the chances of a group ensemble has increased from 5/1 to 9/4, according to William Hill.
Monty Don’s last Gardeners’ World episode is on Friday
PA Wire
“I'm comfortable being the supply teacher,” he said in a Sunday Times interview last year.
“Besides, my gut says that when his lordship hangs up his trowel, it won't be any one person. There will be a small group of co-presenters."
Tophill is still the favourite to take over as the show’s next host, although her odds have drifted slightly from 13/8 to 7/4. Frost remains unchanged at 2/1, keeping him firmly in contention to succeed Don.
Spokesperson Lee Phelps, said: “With Monty Don’s final episode of Gardeners’ World approaching, speculation is growing over who will take over from the much-loved presenter.
“Frances Tophill remains the frontrunner at 7/4, with Adam Frost holding steady at 2/1. However, the big move has been for the show to continue without one main presenter, with an ensemble format now as short as 9/4 from 5/1, following comments from Frost suggesting that is the format he envisages when Don hangs up his trowel.
“It could be the end of an era for Gardeners’ World, but the latest odds suggest the BBC may look to share the presenting duties rather than appoint one direct successor.”
Adam Frost said he thinks there will be multiple presenters when Don retires
BBC
Other contenders include Arit Anderson, Joe Swift, Rachel de Thame and Nick Bailey, with Alan Titchmarsh at the lower end of the scale at 150/1 and David Beckham coming in at 200/1.
He said of his departure last month: "I have decided that the current series of Gardeners’ World is to be my last. I began hosting the programme 23 years ago, first at Berryfields and for the past 16 years here in my own garden, Longmeadow.
"Throughout that time - and around seven hundred programmes - I have had the privilege of sharing my own abiding passion for gardens and gardening with an equally passionate, and often equally knowledgeable audience.
“But now is the right time for a change. I look forward to continuing to work with and for the BBC on other projects, as well as following new avenues. There are more books to write, more programmes to make. And of course, I will still be gardening, dog by side, here at Longmeadow."