Monty Don, the beloved presenter of Gardeners' World, has revealed a humorous mix-up from early in his career when he was mistaken for Jeremy Clarkson during a book signing. The 71-year-old gardening expert recalled the incident during a recording of BBC Gardeners' World Live, describing it as a low point.
A Deserted Signing
Don explained that he once hosted a book signing where no one attended. Just as he was about to pack up, a woman rushed in, pen in hand. She looked up at him and said, 'Oh, you're supposed to be Jeremy Clarkson.' Don quipped, 'You go to a talk and people go: 'You're meant to be talking about cooking leeks.''
The anecdote highlights the contrast between Don's current fame and his earlier anonymity. He has fronted Gardeners' World since 2003 and authored numerous bestselling gardening books, but recognition wasn't always guaranteed.
Topless Photo and Rise to Fame
Don also shared an unusual route to stardom involving a topless photo. In the 1980s, a magazine called Elle featured his home and garden. Impressed by his horticultural skills, they photographed him in the garden—topless. 'I'm ashamed to say, in it, I'm topless. I genuinely can't imagine why,' Don admitted on the 'Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?' podcast.
At the time, being a young gardener was rare, and the story was picked up by newspapers, helping to launch his career. Don took over as lead presenter of Gardeners' World from Alan Titchmarsh in 2003, stepped back in 2008 due to illness, and returned three years later. He now also fronts BBC coverage of the Chelsea Flower Show and programmes like Monty Don's Spanish Gardens.
