MONTY Don has admitted to ‘faking’ moments on his hit BBC show Gardeners’ World – as he revealed behind-the-scenes filming secrets.
The horticulturist and broadcaster, 69, made his debut on the long-running programme in 2003.
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Monty has outlined the creativity used to ensure certain segments feel timely and relevant.
Writing in Gardeners’ World magazine, he said: “We start filming the new series of Gardeners’ World at the beginning of March.
“Each programme starts on a Monday morning with a pre-production meeting – nowadays always via Zoom.
“Filming at Longmeadow takes place on a Tuesday and Wednesday for the Friday of the following week, i.e. 10 days ahead of broadcast to allow time for the editing process.
“This means that the programme coming up that Friday has already been shot and is being edited.
“However, the programme that we are preparing on our Monday morning meetings is the one we shall be filming in a week’s time and which you will see almost three weeks later.”
Continuing, Monty added: “So, when I go round the garden prior to the meeting I am weighing up what will be relevant in three weeks’ time, as well as what is looking at its best right now.
“I also list the real-life garden jobs I want to get on with and share with you.
“The production team then converts this plan into a filming schedule, while I brief my team in the garden on what they have to do for that programme, as well as what they must NOT do.
“Last October, the leaves on the Long Walk were immaculately raked and taken to the leafmould bay, but we wanted to film the process, so I had to scatter them over the grass again, ready for filming!”
It comes as Monty previously addressed his future on Gardeners’ World – after landing another job away from the show.
His new show Monty Don‘s British Gardens debuted on screens last month.
Gardeners’ World fans need not worry – as the beloved presenter pledged his future to the programme.
The rise and rise of Monty Don
SINCE bursting onto our TV screens in Gardeners’ World in the early noughties, Monty Don has been a much-loved star.
Before finding fame on TV, and together with his wife Sarah, Monty set up a lucrative jewellery business in the early 80s.
Monty then joined the popular BBC show as presenter in 2003, taking over from the out going Alan Titchmarsh, and has been there ever since.
Every since he burst onto the scene, he has become a familiar face on the box.
Away from Gardeners’ World he is also known for Monty Don’s Italian Gardens, as well as the French, American and Japanese versions of the show.
Monty also hosted The Secret History of the British Garden
He previously told Radio Times: “I never make plans beyond two years, but I’ve agreed to do another two (from January 2025).
“Every time I think, ‘Am I really going to do this?’ But the truth is that I do enjoy it.
“I’m lucky because it’s in my own garden. If the programme is made well, I’ll continue.”
Gardeners’ World airs on BBC Two and iPlayer.
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