Monty Don, the longtime presenter of BBC's Gardeners' World, has announced he is stepping down from the show after more than two decades. The 71-year-old, who has hosted the programme since 2003, has also been open about his personal life, including his 40-year marriage to Sarah, which began in unusual circumstances.
A love story with no regrets
When Monty first met his wife Sarah, she was married to a botanist who was also a friend of his. Monty has previously spoken about the situation, admitting he felt an "intense attraction" to Sarah when they first met. Speaking on the White Wine Question Time podcast, he explained that he would regularly see Sarah and her husband socially for around six months before his relationship with Sarah changed.
The situation was difficult, and Sarah's husband was upset by what happened. Monty has acknowledged feeling guilty about the circumstances, but he has also been clear that he does not regret what happened. Monty and Sarah eventually married in 1983 and have now spent more than 40 years together.
Talking on the same podcast, Monty said: "You can't pussyfoot about. If you decide to be with someone and it means breaking up their marriage, you can't then say 'Oh I feel really bad about this.' No, I don't. I thought it was great, it was wonderful. I'm so glad. I feel sorry for him, but it happened and I'm really glad it happened. I have no regrets at all."
Raising three children at Longmeadow
Away from the cameras, Monty and Sarah have raised three children together: sons Adam and Tom, and daughter Freya. The family has generally kept out of the spotlight, with Monty and Sarah choosing to keep their children's lives private. Adam is the eldest, while Freya and Tom are younger. Freya and Tom both studied at Central Saint Martins in London, while Adam studied architecture at university.
Sarah has also played an important role in the family home and their life at Longmeadow in Herefordshire. The garden has become closely associated with Monty, but he has previously spoken about how much of it has been created and shaped with Sarah.
Talking on the VandA Dundee podcast, Monty revealed that his children may not have the luxuries he had in his younger days and may not afford a house with a garden. He said: "I was really lucky because I am of a generation where we could afford, in our twenties, to buy a house or rent a house and live on our own and have a garden. My children can't afford to do that."
Difficult years and health struggles
There have also been some difficult periods in Monty's personal life. He has spoken about losing people close to him and the effect grief has had on him. Gardening has been one of the things he has turned to during difficult times, with Monty previously explaining how the changing seasons can offer comfort after a bereavement.
He has also experienced Covid on more than one occasion. During one bout, he described the illness as completely exhausting and said it left him feeling "terrible". Monty later revealed that Covid had affected his sense of smell, explaining that some scents, including perfume, had become much harder for him to recognise.
Departure from Gardeners' World
After more than two decades on Gardeners' World, Monty recently announced that he will be leaving the programme. He first joined the BBC show in 2003 and went on to become one of its most recognisable faces. Longmeadow, his garden in Herefordshire, has also become familiar to viewers since the programme began filming there in 2011.
Announcing his departure, Monty described his time on the programme as a "deeply rewarding experience" and said he felt that "now is the right time for a change". While his time on Gardeners' World is coming to an end, Monty will continue to garden and spend time at Longmeadow. Gardeners' World is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
