Monty Don has marked the end of an era as he finished shooting his final series of Gardeners' World, sharing a touching message alongside a photo taken from the end of his garden showing the camera crew packing up in the distance.
On Thursday, October 8, the 71-year-old broadcaster penned: "Filming today what will be the very last visit to Longmeadow."
Emotional farewell announced in September
On September 8, Monty announced he is leaving the BBC show after 23 years at the helm. In an emotional video, the dad-of-three said: "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. 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 my chapter."
Fans share their well-wishes
Viewers soon swarmed to the comments section to share their feelings and pass on their well-wishes online. One user wrote: "End of an era! Thanks for all the visits [green heart emoji]", as another agreed: "Sad... and yet new beginnings and adventures to come!"
A third echoed: "I feel genuinely sad. Every Friday, I look forward to hearing Monty say hello at the beginning of the programme. That is all it takes to make me feel like all is well and calm has been restored, no matter what my week has been like."
A fourth chimed in with: "We will definitely miss Longmeadow, but Monty much more, his gentle way of explaining, his love for nature, and his voice. We still have his books, and I can imagine talks and podcasts will proceed."
Funding concerns for Longmeadow
It comes after the BBC star admitted he will need to find new ways to fund the maintenance of his beloved Longmeadow garden following his TV exit. He revealed that his departure from the show has consequences for his garden, which he has tended to since 2011.
One such consequence is how the work at Longmeadow will be funded, with Monty admitting during an event at the RHS Malvern show that the BBC had been subsidising the salaries of two gardeners working on the two-acre site.
Addressing the attendees at the show, Monty explained the team had been employed to ensure the garden was "camera-ready" even if he was away filming other projects. The broadcaster, who has lived at Longmeadow in Herefordshire with his wife Sarah since 1991, explained: "The BBC pays a contribution towards their wages.
"Not enough, but they do pay something, which is great. Obviously, that contribution is going to go. I will have to think of ways - I can't afford it unless we earn money from it - so I am going to think of ways of earning something from the garden, but I can't do that until the middle of next year at the earliest."
