Gardener's World star Joe Swift has launched a scathing critique of the BBC and the Chelsea Flower Show after being dropped from the presenting team following 24 years. The 60-year-old gardening guru said he had to apply to the Royal Horticultural Society for a ticket to this week's VIP gala despite his decades covering the event. 'I have been going to Chelsea for 30 years. I worked 24 years of them filming and I split up with the BBC on my 25th year,' he said.
Swift, formerly co-anchor of the BBC's coverage alongside Monty Don, was replaced by presenters Rachel de Thame and Arit Anderson, prompting complaints from fans on social media. On his podcast, The James and Joe Garden Show, he was dismissive of younger presenters, saying: 'You can't trust the young. They get obsessed with gimmicks, not real gardening, horticulture and good design.'
He also took aim at a new garden designed by Frances Tophill, championed by King Charles, Sir David Beckham and Alan Titchmarsh. Sarcastically referring to Beckham, Swift said: 'David Beckham, that famous garden designer... and he will take all the credit. He will bend it like Beckham.'
Catering and facilities at the event also came under fire. Swift complained that the previously 'amazing' catering has been cut back, and criticised the 'chemical loo smell' of the toilets. He claimed BBC coverage has suffered due to budget cuts, noting that pre-filming trips abroad were once common but have been axed.
Swift also lamented traffic congestion around the show and expressed a desire to create his own show garden, but joked he would need '£500 million' to do so. In response, an RHS spokeswoman said Swift had RSVP'd to their invitation and suggested his budget estimate was 'highly exaggerated'.
