03 March 2024 , 18:35
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Monty Don has taken steps to appease concerned fans who are convinced he is ready to retire from presenting and that his show Gardener’s World will be cancelled.
The 68-year-old broadcaster has been hosting the long-running BBC show - which has been on the air since 1968 - since 2003. He left the series in 2008, only to return in 2011 but recently the star had hinted that his time on the gardening show would be coming to an end for a second time - sparking widespread concern among his fans.
The rumours were ultimately sparked by the host himself when he gave an interview to the Radio Times in which he hinted he was growing tired of appearing on TV and spending hours recording shows. He told the publication: "The logical thing to do is to give up Gardener's World" - raising the alarm between fans.
But in a new interview, Monty has tried to calm fears he will soon disappear from screens - and has hinted that he could be hosting Gardner’s World for at least three more years. Addressing the ‘quit’ rumours that he sparked himself, Monty confessed: “I was naive. I was tired and thought it would be nice to have a rest, but I was naive to say that.”
The star has been on the BBC show since 2003 (Mark Thomas/REX/Shutterstock)Explaining further to The Times he said: "I can categorically say without any equivocation that I'm very happy to do it for another three years. "I have another year on my contract and we are negitiating another two. I fell into presenting 22 years ago, I've never had a long term path, so that's as much of a long term commitment as I've ever had in my life."
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Monty has been forced to confront rumours on social media as well. In the past week, he highlighted the fact that he is appearing on Gardner’s World, as an official BBC X post stated: “It's all go at Longmeadow as we gear up for the start of our new series. And like Ned, we just can't wait! Only two weeks to go” - along with a snap of Monty dancing with a dog.
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A fan reacted to the image, writing: “Shame it's gonna be the last series” - alongside a sad face emoji. However, this provoked Monty into making a comment that suggested reports over his broadcasting demise had been greatly exaggerated. He hit back at the fan to write: “Last series of what?” - suggesting he would continue to helm the show.
And just last month Monty addressed the rumours of his exit when he made an appearance on The One Show. He was confronted by show host Alex Jones: "Now then, Monty, we have to come to you... There's rumours in the paper, I'm not happy about it Monty, that say that you and Gardeners' World, which is my favourite on a Friday. Are parting company. Tell me this is not true?"
Responding to the Welsh host, he confirmed: "It is not true…. All things being equal, and unless I do something terribly wrong, I will be doing it for at least another three years."