Kitchen Garden Forum

I'm sorry to learn that Monty Don has suffered a minor stroke at age 52, I understand that he will be leaving Gardeners' World.

Barney

That is sad. It must be an enormous blow to him. I believe somebody else on here had ealier posted that he'd been unwell but I didn't know what the problem was. We can only hope that he recovers and is still able to continue with his gardening. I can't imagine how terribly frustrating it would be not to be well enough to get outside and spend time with nature in all its aspects. I'm sure everybody here will wish him well.

Yes i heard that tonight on Radio 4 news. Apparently he is recovering well and hopes to go on to other work soon

Seedling

I'm so sad about this, I do like Monty and as I've said before, it was his GW Allotment Special that inspired me to go out and get an allotment. He changed my life (and I met Seedling ).

The BBC news has just said that Monty is taking the whole of the summer off to "fully recover" so let's hope that's the case.

I heard the news too and know only too well how devastating a stoke can be. My dad had both major and many minor strokes up until his death so have a lot of personal experience.

Although he is not my favourite presenter of GW, i do wish him a very speedy and full recovery and hope to see him back on tv very soon.

I know that in the past I have been a very harsh critic of Monty Don but this doesn't mean that I wish him any harm personally.
I do hope he recovers soon and that he will be back on your screen in the not too distant future on anything other than gardening.
JB.

We could send him a get well card from the Forum. What do you think?

Good idea Tigger
Seedling

I too was really sad to hear the news and I hope Monty soon recovers.

The idea of sending him a card is brilliant.

I'm also very sorry to hear that Monty is unwell, scarily young to be having a stroke isn't it?

Hopefully it will be a one off, and he will recover in full. I think sending a card from all of us is a nice idea.

For me, Monty Don was the one of the best presenters since Geoff Hamilton. Carol, Joe et al are struggling to fill the gap. But please. BBC, don't bring back the dreaded Titchmarsh.

Well said Binky.
Monty was doing the job very well indeed and please no more of the grinning Titchmarsh.

Best wishes to Monty for a speedy recovery.

John

PS Nobody comes to mind immediately as a replacement for Monty.

Very sad to hear about Monty, and hope he soon recovers.

Funny isn't it how we all have our favourite presenters. I missed the Geoff Hamilton era, although I now have 'the collection' on DVD and love him. Alan Titchmarsh was the one who really got me into gardening on GW, and I loved Ground Force too! I have really enjoyed watching Monty, as he knows his stuff, and I find him inspiring. I, for one, will miss him on Friday evenings.

I hope Monty is well soon. Maybe he was working too hard on too many project, too much stress. He is very young to have a minor stoke. Hopefully he will have a good rest this summer and be back to his old self very soon. I hope so.

I too got into gardening whilst watching Geoff Hamilton. He was a very down to earth presenter who explained many things clearly. Like Monty. I bought one of his books and got so much help from it. But I do like Chris Beardshaw and love watching The Flying Gardener. I dont know whether it is out on DVD but if it is I would love it. Hint hint to my OH. (when he reads this)

An article on "pottering" around the garden..with ref to Montys recuperation.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7428376.stm