Adam Frost's 'gut feeling' about Gardeners' World replacement revealed

Adam Frost’s true thoughts about potentially replacing Monty Don on Gardeners’ World have been revealed.

Seven-time Chelsea Garden Show gold medallist Frost joined the show in 2016 and often fills in for Don when the gardening legend is away.

However, he revealed his “gut feeling” is that there will be multiple presenters when Don retires.

Adam Frost shared his thoughts on potentially replacing Monty Don

BBC

“I'm comfortable being the supply teacher,” he said in a Sunday Times interview last year that has since resurfaced.

“Besides, my gut says that when his lordship hangs up his trowel, it won't be any one person. There will be a small group of co-presenters."

Frost also admitted earlier this year that he was so camera-shy, he initially struggled with being onscreen.

“If there were a human being that was to blame for me being on the telly, it would have to be Nick Knowles from DIY SOS. He would always say to me: ‘You love talking about gardening, why wouldn’t you want to talk to two million people?’” he told the iPaper.

“I spent the first couple of years at Gardeners’ World thinking: ‘What the hell am I doing?’ Then, slowly you realise that you’re just doing something you love, with nice people watching.”

Monty Don is retiring after 23 years as host

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Discussing the show, he added: “For so many people, it’s a staple part of their week. They get to Friday night, the music comes on, his lordship – as I like to call Monty Don – walks out, dogs in tow, and the whole world feels like a beautiful place to be.”

Other potential presenters who could replace Don are tipped to include contributors Arit Anderson at 9/1 and Joe Swift at 12/1, with Rachel de Thame coming in at 14/1 and Jamie Butterworth being given a 20/1 chance, according to bookmaker William Hill.

True to Frost’s prediction, the bookmaker also quotes a 5/1 price that the show will function without a lead presenter for its next series, while former Groundforce stars Charlie Dimmock (50/1) and Alan Titchmarsh (100/1) are less likely to land the job.

Garden designer Frances Tophill is a contender

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Announcing his exit, Don said: "I have decided that the current series of Gardeners’ World is to be my last. I began hosting the programme 23 years ago, first at Berryfields and for the past 16 years here in my own garden, Longmeadow.

"Throughout that time - and around seven hundred programmes - I have had the privilege of sharing my own abiding passion for gardens and gardening with an equally passionate, and often equally knowledgeable audience.

“But now is the right time for a change. I look forward to continuing to work with and for the BBC on other projects, as well as following new avenues. There are more books to write, more programmes to make. And of course, I will still be gardening, dog by side, here at Longmeadow."

He has been recovering after having a “horribly painful” knee replacement last November and previously said he will likely have another operation in late 2027.

The BBC presenter admitted in April that he was struggling to film Gardener’s World at his Herefordshire home Longmeadow due to the procedure.