Monty Don announced his departure from Gardeners’ World after 23 years.
Jeremy Clarkson opened up about Monty Don’s departure
Jeremy Clarkson has officially weighed in on Monty Don‘s departure by suggesting who should replace the Gardeners’ World star after he announced his exit from the BBC show after 23 years. In a bombshell statement, the 71-year-old horticulturist shared: “I have a big piece of news to share with you because I’ve decided that this is to be my last series of Gardeners’ World. I began hosting Gardeners’ World 23 years ago, and for the last 16 years we’ve been here at Longmeadow, and it’s been fantastic. I’ve loved every minute, I’ve worked with some amazing people, and it’s been a joy to share my gardening life and my dogs with you.
On Tuesday, Monty concluded: “But it’s time for a change, and no doubt some new adventures in the future, but for the moment, this is the end of a chapter.” As the news left fans emotional and rumours swirled about his replacement, Jeremy made an unexpected suggestion.
Monty announced his departure from Gardeners’ World
In his The Sunday Times column, the Top Gear legend praised Monty’s tenure on the show and said he had been “a safe haven in a troubled world,” adding, “I was sad this week to hear that after 23 years, Monty is leaving the show.”
“And 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.” Jeremy added: “The material of choice for anyone with a safe, gentle pair of hands.”
He then recommended that instead of choosing a “young person,” himself or Paddy McGuinness, Clarkson said that the BBC needed “to remember that Gardeners’ World is a show about gardening, for sure, but it’s also a state of mind.
“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.”
Chloe has gained over 673k followers on her gardening page
The Clarkson’s Farm star suggested the new presenter “should burn autumn leaves without guilt, use whatever compost they like, and deal with insects in whatever way they think is best. And they should have no shame about any of it. 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.”
After proposing that producers “trawl the staff in the nation’s garden centres for candidates,” the 66-year-old nodded to Irish influencer Chloe Winter, who posts gardening videos under the name Blooms and Green.
Jeremy stated: “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.”
