Gardeners' World’s Monty Don blasts show’s ‘gardening mafia’

Gardeners' World star Monty Don has hit out at what he calls the show's "gardening mafia" and their superior attitude, saying he refuses to pander to them any more.

The horticulturalist and broadcaster is a trusted expert by many when it comes to making the most of their gardens, but writing in the BBC Two show's partner magazine he admitted that some viewers loved to try to prove they knew more.

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Don, 67, wrote in Gardeners' World magazine: "There is a small but vociferous part of the audience who see Gardeners’ World as a chance to both tick the boxes of their own horticultural knowledge and to loudly disapprove if anything is shown or done in a way that differs from their own.

"We used to be self-conscious about placating this 'gardening mafia', but not any more. They are welcome, but Gardeners’ World is not aimed exclusively at or for them."

TV star Don also went on to explain that the programme didn't only exist for lifelong gardeners with large plots of well-tended land, but that he also wanted to attract younger viewers who may never own their own homes but could still enjoy growing things.

He wrote: "If Gardeners' World can help shape, inspire and inform your future - rather than shoring up your past - then we are hitting the right mark."

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BBC Two moved Gardeners' World to a later slot of 9.30pm this week, with viewers complaining that it hadn't been prioritised in the schedules.

As Don tweeted to explain it had been "shunted", one viewer replied: "Can't wait. Better late than never. The BBC have become too fond of ditching the fabulous Gardeners World in favour of something else that is the flavour of the month. Gardening is not the flavour of the month, it is the flavour of an entire life!"

Someone else agreed: "Wherever you and the @GWandShows team are we will find you, but it does get rather annoying that the show gets dumped all over the schedules by the @BBC planners, they've no appreciation of audience loyalty."

Another fan added: "Surely such a beloved show deserves a regular slot?! Stop moving around the schedule BBC."

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