Monty Don, the face of British horticulture for more than two decades, announced on September 8, 2026, that he will leave Gardeners’ World at the conclusion of the current series. Don, who took over as lead presenter in 2003, described the decision as the “right time for a change” after a 23-year tenure.
Don characterized his time with the show as “deeply rewarding.” While he is stepping back from the weekly demands of the flagship gardening series, he is not retiring from broadcasting. The Guardian reports that Don will continue his partnership on several upcoming projects, including a new travel-focused program.
The End of the Longmeadow Era
Don’s departure marks a significant turning point for the show’s production. Since 2011, Gardeners’ World has been filmed almost exclusively at Longmeadow, Don’s private garden in Herefordshire.
The Search for a Successor
As of September 8, no official replacement has been named to take over the lead presenting role. The vacancy has already sparked widespread speculation regarding who might lead the next chapter of the series.
Among the names frequently mentioned by viewers is Frances Tophill. However, Tophill recently addressed such rumors in an interview with The Sunday Times, clarifying that she does not currently see herself stepping into the lead role.
