The landscape of British television broadcasting experienced a seismic shift recently when beloved national treasure Monty Don announced his departure from the BBC’s flagship horticultural programme, Gardeners’ World. Having served as the undisputed head gardener of the nation’s screens for an impressive 23 years, Don’s impending exit has left a profound void in the hearts of millions of loyal viewers. As the search for a replacement begins, the BBC faces a daunting editorial challenge: how to replace a presenter who has become synonymous with tranquillity, horticultural expertise, and a very particular brand of Sunday-night comfort.
Amid the widespread public despair and media speculation, outspoken broadcaster, farmer, and former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson has waded into the debate. In a characteristic and sharply observed column for The Sunday Times, Clarkson not only lamented Don’s departure—describing the veteran host as "a safe haven in a troubled world"—but also offered a surprisingly earnest suggestion for who should inherit the famous garden trowel. Rejecting the notion of a flashy, youth-oriented reboot or even himself taking up the mantle, Clarkson has thrown his weight behind 27-year-old Irish social media sensation Chloe Winter, creator of the widely popular online brand Blooms and Green.
This article explores the fallout from Monty Don’s departure, analyses Clarkson’s candid commentary on the future of British broadcasting and gardening culture, profiles the viral influencer tipped for the role, and examines what lies ahead for one of the BBC’s most enduring institutions.
Detailed Chronology: The End of an Era at Longmeadow
The journey toward this pivotal moment in British television history has been more than two decades in the making. Monty Don’s tenure on Gardeners’ World transformed the programme from a purely instructional gardening show into an intimate, meditative weekly ritual for millions of households across the United Kingdom and beyond.
The Early Years (2003): Monty Don officially took over the reins as the lead presenter of Gardeners’ World, broadcasting primarily from his own Herefordshire garden, Leominster, and later establishing his iconic private sanctuary, Longmeadow. His gentle narration, deep philosophy of organic husbandry, and unflinching vulnerability—particularly regarding his battles with depression—quickly endeared him to the British public.
The Milestone Years (2010s): Over the decades, Don survived health scares, operational overhauls at the BBC, and shifting viewing habits. Gardeners’ World not only maintained its core audience but experienced a massive renaissance during the COVID-19 pandemic, as locked-down populations turned to their own outdoor spaces for solace and mental wellbeing.
The Shock Announcement (Late 2025 / Early 2026): At 71 years of age, Don dropped a bombshell on the television industry by announcing that he would be stepping down as head gardener before the end of the year. In his official statements, Don reflected fondly on his time working with what he termed a "superlative" BBC team, noting that the experience had been deeply rewarding, but concluding definitively that "now is the right time for a change."
The Public and Celebrity Backlash: The announcement was met with an immediate wave of dismay from viewers and cultural figures alike. Among the most vocal mourners of the Don era was Jeremy Clarkson, who used his weekly Sunday Times column to articulate the anxieties of a nation facing the loss of its most comforting television fixture.
Supporting Context & Metrics: The Cultural Weight of Gardeners’ World
To understand the panic surrounding Monty Don’s departure, one must appreciate the unique demographic and cultural footprint of Gardeners’ World. Far from being a niche instructional show for landscape professionals, the programme commands a fiercely loyal audience that spans generations.
The Anatomy of the Audience
Gardeners’ World is watched by an estimated 2 to 3 million viewers per regular weekly episode, a formidable figure for a specialist factual programme broadcast in the digital age. Research into the show’s viewership reveals several key metrics:
Mental Health and Wellbeing: Over 70% of regular viewers cite "relaxation" and "stress relief" as primary motivators for watching the show, validating Clarkson’s observation that the programme is less about rigid botanical science and more about "a state of mind."
The Digital Diaspora: While the core audience remains loyal to traditional linear television, clips and extended features on BBC iPlayer routinely pull in millions of additional streams, proving the enduring appeal of slow television in a fast-paced media environment.
The Economic Impact: The "Monty Don effect" is a well-documented retail phenomenon; any plant, tool, or book recommended or used on the show frequently experiences an immediate surge in nationwide sales.
Clarkson’s Critique of Modern Broadcasting
In his Sunday Times column, Jeremy Clarkson expressed a palpable fear that the BBC might attempt to modernize the format by introducing trendy, fast-paced elements or casting a presenter who lacks the intrinsic, reassuring aura of his predecessor.
"I’m even sadder now because I’ve realised he will have to be replaced, and I have the most horrible feeling that whoever gets the gig will not be the sort of person who wears corduroy," Clarkson wrote. "The material of choice for anyone with a safe, gentle pair of hands."
Clarkson argued passionately against injecting modern political discourse, algorithmic trends, or hyper-conscious "Twitter think" into a sanctuary built on soil, seasonal shifts, and organic patience. "They should burn autumn leaves without guilt, use whatever compost they like, and deal with insects in whatever way they think is best," he noted, outlining a manifesto for unpretentious British gardening.
Official Statements and Industry Reactions
The BBC has remained tight-lipped regarding the formal succession process, though internal sources suggest a shortlist of candidates is already being compiled. Following Don’s announcement, tributes poured in from across the broadcasting and horticultural worlds.
Monty Don’s Farewell Statement:
"Working on Gardeners’ World alongside such a superlative, dedicated BBC team has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. Gardens are places of growth, change, and renewal. After 23 wonderful years, I feel that now is the right time for a change, allowing new energy to guide the programme into its next chapter while I pursue other writing and horticultural projects."
Jeremy Clarkson’s Column Excerpt (The Sunday Times):
"I was sad this week to hear that after 23 years, Monty is leaving the show… This is a show that’s watched by a certain type of people. And it should be presented and written and produced by that sort of person. They should pay no mind to ‘the latest thinking’ because this is a show about gardens, and there should be no politics or Twitter think in such a thing."
The Contenders: Introducing Chloe Winter
Having dismissed the idea of casting a "clueless" media personality, a generic youth-targeted influencer, or even himself and television regular Paddy McGuinness, Clarkson offered a concrete, albeit unexpected, alternative: Irish digital creator Chloe Winter.
Who is Chloe Winter?
Hailing from Galway, Ireland, the 27-year-old creator operates under the moniker Blooms and Green. Over the past few years, Winter has cultivated a massive digital footprint through her accessible, aesthetically pleasing, and deeply calming videos documenting her horticultural journey.
Social Media Reach: Winter boasts an impressive following of 672,000 on Instagram and an additional 226,000 on TikTok.
Content Style: Her videos focus on practical, down-to-earth advice for growing cut flowers, organic fruits, and vegetables. Eschewing high-energy editing tricks, Winter’s content relies on quiet narration, natural ASMR elements of gardening, and a soothing conversational cadence.
Clarkson’s Endorsement
Describing Winter’s appeal with his trademark wit, Clarkson wrote:
"She’s like Monty Don, if he was 50 years younger, and Irish, and a girl. I could watch her for hours. She makes me feel as safe as the cheese counter in a Waitrose, and that’s the main reason for making a show about gardening."
The endorsement did not go unnoticed. Winter herself took to Instagram to respond to the unexpected praise from the outspoken Clarkson’s Farm star, sharing a lighthearted reaction: @jeremyclarkson1 I didn’t know you were a fan [cry-laughing emoji].
Future Outlook: What’s Next for Gardeners’ World?
As the BBC prepares for life after Monty Don, the pressures on the production team are immense. The network must balance the necessity of attracting a broad enough audience to justify a prime-time factual slot with the sacred duty of preserving the tranquil, unpretentious ethos that has defined the show for over half a century.
Whether the executives in London decide to follow Jeremy Clarkson’s advice and look toward digital-native talent like Chloe Winter, or whether they opt for a more traditional horticulturalist from the country’s botanical gardens and nurseries, one thing is certain. The audience will be watching closely, ready to judge whether the new head gardener has the requisite "safe, gentle pair of hands"—and, crucially, whether they are wearing corduroy.
As the gardening year turns toward winter and preparations begin for the upcoming television season, the transition of Gardeners’ World will serve as a fascinating litmus test for how traditional public service broadcasting navigates the legacies of its most iconic modern figures.
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