Monty is leaving Gardeners World

[ProfessorofDarkArts]

Couldn’t see a thread on this, just been announced. Who do people think will replace him? My money is on Frances Tophill who I quite like but not sure she has her own garden. Adam Frost has recently moved to a bigger space but I’d be very surprised if it was a straight middle aged white male this being the BBC.

I like Rekha too. I agree with PPs who have said a variety of presenters would be good rather than one main one.

It's a shame Monty is leaving but I agree it had become quite samey. I love Adam Frost, really hope he and Frances take over as the main presenters with much more of Arit.

Arthur Parkinson is alright but my word does his snobbery seep out into everything. Also not sure he'll get it because he was critical of GW in an article I think.

Rekha is great!

Arthur Parkinson is alright but my word does his snobbery seep out into everything. Also not sure he'll get it because he was critical of GW in an article I think.

Ah, I missed that. I had to stop following him because my desire for bantams was getting ridiculous 🐓

Perhaps, they should shelve the idea of a lead presenter.

The weather, this year, has been crazy. Boiling hot in the south and cool and wet in the north. A single presenter, whatever garden they have, can’t represent the gardening needs of both.

Crikey I had no idea Carol klein was 81! I always assumed late 50s 60s

Not Arit or Adam.
I like Frances and Rekha. Used to like Chris Beardshaw but rarely see him anywhere other than as a designer at Chelsea now.
Not Joe Swift. Trained but his voice annoys me.

I like Frances. Does the lead presenter need to have a garden the size of Monty’s?

It might be Will Young. He has designed a garden for RHS Wisley, and ticks all the BBC boxes. He’s been on GW a few times too.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley/articles/will-young-out-of-the-shadows

Another vote for Frances. And the writing has been on the wall re Monty for a while but I am gutted- like a pp I find his voice and garden unbelievably comforting and relaxing and am OK with his segments being a bit repetitive with variation in the other segments.
Also like Rekha, love Carol but a big ask of an 81 year old, and I like Joe and Adam too. And huw richards and Adam yn ardd from YouTube.

Please God not Arthur Parkinson. Unbearable.

Anyone but Will young !!!
Monty has a very comforting brown voice
Frances also has a lovely way about her and Aritbwas so touching at Chelsea this year
Tough shoes to fill !

Will Monty keep his gardeners on or will he do it all himself now ?

I believe Monty has a house and garden in Greece. Maybe he and his wife will retire there? He has spoken in the past about not liking to work in the garden in the winter. I downsized from a house with a very large garden (not Monty size!). Anyway I was glad to leave it. I had worked on it for nigh on twenty years. I had some help in the garden but I was still weary. Monty is 71 maybe he just wants to relax now. I have a small courtyard style garden now and that suits me.

Noooo! Monty has one of those voices capable of lulling me of to sleep, and has done in the past. I really don’t like Frances or Arit, and as much as I like Adam Frost, the accent grates on me. The only one I can see as a good option would be Sue Kent, I love Carol Klein too but she would be too old now I think.

Not seen it in a while but I do like Monty

Lovely calming voice

Frances owns her house with a garden.

I want them to go back to using a GW garden, not the presenter's own. I feel that's a more neutral space.

Plus lots of segments in regular-sized gardens or community spaces alongside bigger gardens and national collections.

Frances I hope, she has a gentle way with her and is very positive.

We did see Frances in her garden when she moved a while ago didn't we? But it is small and not really a GW lead presenter garden.

Adam has a suitable garden but I am not sure he'd want to do it.

It might be better to have a rented garden like Berryfields, and rotate between a few presenters.

It works for Beechgrove. I wonder if GW looks down on its lesser cousin 😁

I’m glad he’s going - privileged twit.

His dog gets paid more by the BBC than some minimum wage earners get all year which is scandalous.

Adam yn Aradd (on youtube) has featured on GW a few times and has just posted a short of his new 3 acre blank canvas garden. He's a charming, enthusiastic presenter- love him! He'd be my pick.
Frances is also wonderful particularly as an interviewer.

I love it being someone's own garden rather than a show one. Beechgrove never gets me excited like people's own gardens do- it has that 'workplace' vibe rather than somewhere loved.

Gah, spelt it wrong, its here! https://youtube.com/shorts/u5XIPiHg_G8?is=r_9Kjmz6ED5sYZ7B

Same! She must have a portrait in her attic.

I really disliked it when they did it from Berryfields, it lacked something when it wasn't the presenter's own garden.

Didn't they try using several presenters when Monty was off air after his stroke, then used Toby Buckland who unsurprisingly wasn't at all popular? I could be remembering it wrongly of course.

I don't think any of the other presenters really have the presence of Monty, he has such a lovely manner.

I've always thought Carol could carry a programme but at 81 she and the BBC won't want that. Adam is ok in small doses but not as main presenter. Sue Kent is too grating, Arit is too wishy washy, Frances has got the horticultural knowledge but to me often looks quite uncomfortable when talking to other people. I hope it isn't that bumptious Jamie Butterworth. Rachel de Thame has the knowledge and a nice manner, and a large garden so could be a contender.

It's going to be difficult for the BBC to replace him.