Frances Tophill has dismissed speculation that she could replace Monty Don as the lead presenter of BBC's Gardeners' World. The 36-year-old gardener, who has been part of the show for over a decade, said she hopes Monty never leaves and emphasised that broadcasting is not her primary job.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, Tophill said: 'I have a huge respect for Monty – it is such a generous thing to give your garden space to the nation and he does it so well. I hope he never leaves….Broadcasting is not my day job, my day job is being a gardener.'
This is not the first time Tophill has addressed the topic. In a previous interview with The Telegraph, she recounted an experience after covering for Monty in a 2023 episode, when she was recognised while helping a friend sell plants. 'That's when I got a glimpse of what being Monty must be like… I don't want that,' she said.
Tophill is currently designing a garden for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show alongside Alan Titchmarsh, Sir David Beckham, and King Charles III. She described the experience as 'a lot of fun' and noted that the garden will be concrete-free and use no man-made materials, in line with the King's sustainability focus.
In a statement on the King's Foundation website, Tophill said: 'I’m so excited to share my first garden for RHS Chelsea Flower Show. With input from His Majesty The King, Alan Titchmarsh and Sir David Beckham, I’ve had a lot of fun incorporating elements both celebrating their involvement and ideas they have contributed.'
