BBC Gardeners' World's Carol Klein has major surgery after cancer diagnosis

Carol Klein announced she had been diagnosed with cancer
Carol Klein has said she had been diagnosed with cancer -Credit:Carol Klein Instagram


Gardeners' World presenter Carol Klein has said she has been diagnosed with breast cancer and has undergone a double mastectomy. The much-loved gardening expert took to Instagram to express her gratitude towards the medical team who have supported her.

In amessage, Carol, who lives in Devon, said: "Hello everyone, isn't it marvellous to see the sun out at last! I just wanted to get in touch with you and keep you up to date with what has been happening to me recently."

She continued: "A few weeks ago I was referred to the breast care clinic at my local hospital and after tests I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Having consulted with my family and all the doctors, it was decided that I'd have a double mastectomy and that was carried out on April 3."

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Carol also mentioned how she's been spending her recovery period: "Since then I've been recovering at home and recuperating. I've sown any amount of seeds, and I've been finessing my upcoming book, so it's given me lots of opportunity to do that."

She added: "Well I just want to thank Dr. Anna Conway and all the staff of the breast care clinic at North Devon District Hospital for their care and kindness and also their incredible efficiency. They've been brilliant, a real tribute to the NHS.", reports Birmingham Live.

"Well I'm looking forward to seeing you very soon on Gardeners' World and at the Chelsea Flower Show, not to mention the Gardeners' World Live Show in June in Birmingham. Until then, happy gardening and lots of love."

Carol Klein, a familiar face on Gardeners' World since 1989, has been involved in various other horticultural programmes including Real Gardens and Open Gardens. Her personal projects have also been televised, such as Life in a Cottage Garden with Carol Klein, which chronicled a year in her own garden at Glebe Cottage in North Devon.

Carol Klein has become a beloved presenter of Gardeners' World
Carol Klein has become a beloved presenter of Gardeners' World -Credit:Carol Klein/ Instagram

Carol Klein, 78, was born in Walkden, Lancashire on June 24, 1945. Her love for gardening started at a young age and was inspired by both her mother and her grandfather, whose allotment she enjoyed. Although she initially pursued a career in teaching, she eventually made the leap and turned her hobby into a full-time career.

Carol originally trained as a fine artist and spent many years teaching art in schools and colleges in London before moving to Devon. Here she lectured at North Devon College and taught art at South Molton Secondary School and Community College before setting up her own plant nursery, Glebe Cottage Plants at her home at Chittlehamholt, near Umberleigh in North Devon.

She began exhibiting at RHS shows in 1990 and went on to win gold medals at Chelsea, Hampton Court, Westminster and Malvern. Since 2005, she has been a presenter on Gardeners' World.