Jeremy Clarkson has said he is already working on what to do after Clarkson's Farm, as he shared his thoughts on Monty Don's departure from BBC Gardeners' World.
The 66-year-old television host made the remarks while discussing the significance of presenters such as Monty, 71, who confirmed his exit after 23 years with the programme. The former BBC broadcaster fears Gardeners' World would struggle to continue "without Monty Don" or similar presenters.
Television must be ambitious
Jeremy made the comments at the Royal Television Society's convention in London earlier this week, stating: "Look at gardening shows. How are they going to survive, especially without Monty Don?"
"You know, because anyone can do a gardening thing on social media, or cookery. It's very difficult to make a television show work unless you're cooking on the moon or doing something incredible, and that's where I think television has to get."
The award-winning broadcaster also emphasised how crucial it was, particularly in the current climate, for television to distinguish itself and pursue ambitious programming rather than scaling back.
Plans for a new series
Jeremy continued: "Ever since I started working in television the mantra has always been to make 'fewer, bigger, better' shows. But now it's imperative."
Jeremy, who has contributed to developing iconic programmes including Top Gear, The Grand Tour, and Clarkson's Farm, disclosed he has begun conceptualising a new television series. Jeremy, who recently secured a National Television Award for best reality docuseries, stated: "We are currently thinking about what we do after Clarkson's Farm.
"It's going to have to be something bigger to stand out and protect us from this onslaught from underneath. It has to be unbelievably ambitious. Where people go, 'What the f... are you doing? That's incredible'."
Who should succeed Monty Don?
Alongside praising the influence of Monty Don on programmes such as Gardeners' World, Jeremy has also shared his views on who ought to succeed him.
While several current cast members including Frances Tophill, Joe Swift, Carol Klein, and Adam Frost have been mooted as possible contenders, Jeremy championed social media influencer Chloe Winter in a column for the Sunday Times.
Explaining why Chloe deserves the position, Jeremy said: "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."
