Monty Don has issued an emotional update after fans mistakenly feared his Golden Retriever Ned had died following the sudden loss of another of his beloved dogs.
The Gardeners' World presenter announced on Wednesday that his Yorkshire Terrier Patti had died following a brief illness, leaving his family “heartbroken”.
Sharing the devastating news on social media, Don wrote: “I have sad news. Our lovely Patti died suddenly this morning after a very short illness. She was much loved, and lit up our lives. We are all heartbroken.”
Confusion over which dog died
However, the announcement appears to have prompted some confusion among followers over which of the presenter's dogs had died.
Don subsequently returned to Instagram to reassure fans that Ned, who regularly appears alongside him on the BBC gardening programme, was alive and well.
“Ned still very much around,” he wrote alongside a photograph of himself cuddling the Golden Retriever.
Reflecting on Patti's absence, he added: “Although we are now down to one dog for the first time for 25 years (and that was only for a few months).”
Patti's role on Gardeners' World
Patti had become a familiar face to millions of Gardeners' World viewers after first appearing on the programme in 2020.
The tiny Yorkshire Terrier was frequently seen around Don's famous Longmeadow garden, although viewers may have noticed that she appeared less regularly on screen in later years.
In 2023, Don revealed there was a reason for her absence after a fan asked about Patti online.
He explained that a filming tripod had accidentally fallen on her during lockdown, leaving the dog frightened of the equipment used by the Gardeners' World crew.
“That is why you always see me holding her. When the cameras are not here, she is out with me all the time,” he said at the time.
Tributes and recent losses
Tributes poured in following news of Patti's death, with several of Don's fellow television stars offering their condolences.
Former Countryfile presenter Matt Baker wrote: “Thinking of you, Monty – as I always say, the reason we love our dogs so much is that the only time they break our hearts is when they leave us.”
TV vet Noel Fitzpatrick sent “big hugs”, while the official Gardeners' World Instagram account added: “Such sad news. Patti was such a sweet soul. Sending you all our love.”
Patti's death comes just months after Don said goodbye to Peggy, who died shortly before her 16th birthday.
At the time, the presenter remembered her as “eccentric, quirky, infinitely gentle and loving”, revealing she had been buried in the coppice at Longmeadow alongside his other dogs.
Don has endured several canine losses in recent years. His much-loved Golden Retriever Nigel died in 2020, followed by Nell three years later.
The gardener has previously spoken about the important place his dogs hold in his life and even revealed he would like to eventually be laid to rest alongside them.
“Stick me in a hole in the copse with the dogs, and I'd be happy,” he previously said.
