The announcement that Monty Don is stepping down as lead presenter of Gardeners’ World has caught viewers by surprise. The long-running programme will see Don leave the role after this series, marking the end of a 23-year tenure on the programme.
A 23-year run at Longmeadow
Don hosted Gardeners’ World for 23 years, 16 of which were spent at his current garden, Longmeadow. In an Instagram reel shared this morning, he explained that this series will be his last. “It’s been fantastic,” he said. “I’ve loved every minute and I’ve worked with amazing people and it’s been a joy to share my gardening life, and my dogs, with you. But it’s time for a change.”
The message appeared on both Don’s personal account and the show’s official page. His dog, Ned, sat beside him on a bench in the garden that millions watch every Friday night. Don took over from Alan Titchmarsh in 2003 and since then has written and produced several of his own gardening TV series, including Around the World in 80 Gardens and Monty Don’s Rhineland Gardens.
During his time on the show, Don became one of the best-known faces in horticulture. He even designed a show garden in their honour at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025. Don did not reveal what he plans to do next, referring only to the announcement as “the end of a chapter.”
Who will take over?
The lead presenter role on Gardeners’ World is considered the most coveted job in garden media. Many viewers are already looking at the show’s co-presenters to see who might step into Don’s shoes.
Adam Frost is often mentioned as a potential candidate for the role. With his Cockney charm and down-to-earth personality, Frost has been a co-presenter on the show for the past decade. He originally trained in horticulture with Geoff Hamilton, who was lead presenter from 1979 to 1996, and credits Hamilton with giving him the grounding to succeed.
Frost presented the show and ran a gardening school at a large property when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. His wife fell ill, and Frost himself fell into depression, leading the couple to move to a smaller property that was less demanding. That move was seen by many as closing the door on him becoming lead presenter, as recent hosts have typically presented the show from their own gardens. Frost has since moved again to a larger property, however, and was recently seen on screen working with a mini digger, suggesting he might have the space required for the role.
Carol Klein is another name that fans frequently put forward. The former nurserywoman and gardener has a uniquely expressive way of describing plants and gardens. She survived a difficult cancer diagnosis in 2025, and many wonder if she will get the opportunity to lead the programme after all.
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Rachel de Thame and Arit Anderson are regular presenters for segments on the show. Frances Tophill, however, has had the most publicity this year. The horticulturist designed a garden for HM The King and the RHS with David Beckham for the 2026 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, a project that was widely covered and well-received. Tophill has made it clear in interviews that she is not interested in the level of fame associated with the top job, but viewers remain divided on whether she would be a good fit.
Other contenders
Jamie Butterworth, a nurseryman who worked with Don on his Dog Garden at Chelsea in 2025, has become a regular presenter on Gardener’s World. He has less screen time than some of the other candidates, but he is reportedly ambitious and works non-stop. Jamie Butterworth and Oll
The show has a long list of former and current presenters to draw from. Sue Kent has been doing more pieces every season, while Advolly Richmond specialises in garden history. Toby Buckland actually held the lead presenter role before Don, serving from 2008 to 2010 during a period when Don took a step back for health reasons and the BBC attempted to make the show more like Top Gear.
Don’s departure will likely be felt by fans, who will miss his voice as he plants up his pots in the Friday night garden. The show will likely face a period of transition, but the long-running programme is expected to continue with a new face at the helm.
It is clear that the show’s producers have a difficult decision to make. They must choose a new lead presenter who can fill Don’s shoes and bring a new energy to the programme.
The show’s future is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the new lead presenter will have big shoes to fill.
Don’s legacy on the show will be remembered for years to come.
