TV's Monty Don has a stroke.
By jackie46
9 comments
CELEBRITY gardener Monty Don has suffered a stroke and will stand down from his presenting duties, the BBC said today.
The 52-year-old frontman of the BBC’s Gardener’s World has been off the programme for the past six weeks after being struck by a minor stroke, it was announced.
In a statement the BBC said the star was making “a good recovery”, while Don himself said he was taking time off over the summer to make a full recovery.
German-born Montagu “Monty” Don followed in the footsteps of Percy Thrower, Geoff Hamilton and Alan Titchmarsh when he took over as the main presenter of the long-running Gardeners’ World in 2003.
It followed stints as the resident horticulturist on This Morning. Other programmes include the Channel 4 series Don Roaming and Real Gardens.
Revealing his health issues today, the BBC said: “Monty Don has decided to stand down as the main presenter of Gardener’s World.
“Monty has presented the series for the past five years but has been off our screens for the past six weeks as a result of a minor stroke.
“Although he is making a good recovery he feels unable to commit to regular filming for a while.”
It added that Don would be “sorely missed by viewers and the production team”.
In a statement, Don said: “I am proud to have led Gardener’s World for the past five years and have enjoyed every minute of sharing my passion with the programmes viewers.
“I intend to take some gardening leave for the rest of the summer to make a full recovery and so that I am ready to tackle new projects.”
Don lives with his wife and three children in a house with a two-acre garden in Herefordshire.
23 May, 2008
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Comments
Being a gardener I'm sure will help Monty in his recovery. I understand he has also suffered with depression and gardening helped him then. Although it isn't the same I still think it will help.
23 May, 2008
I think we all realised he was unwell but goodness me ! poor man , he will be missed indeed , im sure all our thoughts and prayers will be wishing him a full and speedy recovery .
23 May, 2008
What a horrible thing to happen. He has worked very hard lately, all to a very tight schedule. He and his family have my thoughts and sympathy. Hope he recovers fully. Probably 'pottering' in his own environment will help him.
23 May, 2008
I had noticed that Monty Don wasn't on Gardeners World, but i had no idea that he was ill. I have worked with people that have suffered from strokes in the past, some worse than others - they can be very debilitating, or you can hardly tell after a short while . Hope he has a fast and full recovery. As everyone says, time in his own surroundings / garden are sure to help, and i'm sure all the GOY and Gardeners World followers will be wishing him all the best for the future.
23 May, 2008
I heard monty was not well last night on chelsea and he was not doing gardeners world again, i really hope he gets well soon and wish him all the best. I will miss him on a friday night, i think he did a brill job, and he is a down to earth man, i think lots of us will miss him.
23 May, 2008
Hope Monty Don makes a full and speedy recovery Wish him all the best
23 May, 2008
So sorry to hear this news. I have heard that he was quite poorly while filming 80 Gardens around the World and he has thrown himself in to so many other projects too. He appears to be so passionate about everything he does, I had wondered if his recent absence from our screens had anything to do with that. I wish him a speedy recovery too and a less stressful lifestyle from now on.
23 May, 2008
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omg thats awful. hope he makes a full recovery.
23 May, 2008