Matthew Biggs, the much-loved gardener and regular panellist on BBC Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time, has died aged 65. He had been living with cancer since 2020 but continued broadcasting almost to the end, making his final appearance on the programme last week.
Biggs, known to colleagues as 'Biggsy', had been a regular on Gardeners' Question Time since 1994. The programme included a special feature in which he discussed his life in gardening and the therapeutic benefits he drew from it during his illness. Producer Dan Cocker said the audience response was overwhelming.
Mohit Bakaya, Controller of Radio 4, paid tribute: 'Everyone at Radio 4 is deeply grateful to Matthew for everything he has given to Gardeners' Question Time over the years. He has been an extraordinary contributor and a true ambassador for Radio 4 in the horticultural world.'
Trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Biggs also appeared on Channel 4's Garden Club and directed ITV's Grass Roots. He authored several books, including 'A Home for Every Plant: Wonders of the Botanical World'. He was a passionate advocate for the mental health benefits of gardening and helped design a garden for patients at the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in Hertfordshire.
Biggs is survived by his wife Gill, daughters Chloe and Jessica, and son Henry.
