For more than a decade, Monty Don has been the serene and steadfast face of Gardeners’ World. With his hands tucked in his pockets and his voice a calming presence, he has guided millions of viewers through the changing seasons, sharing his passion for gardening with a soothing pace and methodical approach.
But behind those peaceful moments, a quiet struggle has been taking place — one that has reshaped Monty’s career and his physical limits. In a candid admission, the much-loved BBC presenter has revealed the health battle that has been unfolding in the background for over 10 years: his ongoing battle with knee pain.
A Decade of Damage — and Knees That Finally Said “Enough”
In a revealing article for Gardeners’ World magazine, Monty, now 70, shared how his knees had been slowly deteriorating over the years. The damage, he explained, was the result of a lifetime spent kneeling, digging, and working the land — the very activities that have defined his career.
“For the last ten years or more, my knees have been giving me gyp,” Monty confessed. “They have been slowly deteriorating — not unusually, not unexpectedly.”
A man who has spent decades in the soil, Monty reflected on the toll his knees had endured: “I have spent 70 years kneeling on them, asking them to stagger about under unreasonably heavy loads. They’ve had a long, hard time of it.”
The statement was raw, a quiet acknowledgment of a physical battle that had often gone unnoticed by his audience. His health struggles were no secret to those closest to him, but now, after a long period of suppression, Monty shared it publicly, signaling that the strain had become too much.
The Clues Viewers Didn’t Notice
For regular viewers of Gardeners’ World, there were subtle signs that something was amiss. Monty himself explained that certain changes in his gardening routine were not accidental.
“You will have rarely seen me do much serious digging,” he noted. “And never kneeling.”
He also revealed that by the end of filming days, the pain was so intense that he could barely make it to the far end of the garden. His movement was restricted, his work affected, but despite the physical toll, Monty carried on.
Doctors had initially advised him to stop digging altogether and offered painkillers as a temporary solution. For a man whose very identity is rooted in gardening, the suggestion to stop working the land was a heavy blow.
When Surgery Became Unavoidable
After enduring years of gradual deterioration, Monty finally had to confront the reality of his condition. In 2025, following scans and consultations, it became clear: both knees required replacement.
In November of that year, Monty underwent surgery on his worst knee, receiving a titanium and cobalt-chrome replacement. While the recovery process has been “slow and pretty painful,” Monty shared that there was also a sense of relief. For the first time in years, he could see a future beyond the pain.
“I’m now able to do things again,” Monty said, offering a glimmer of hope for his fans who had watched him persevere through his pain. For a man so deeply connected to the earth, the prospect of regaining movement was a major milestone.
“I can now get back to the activities I love, even though it’ll be uncomfortable and slow,” he added, revealing that for many years, his condition had been far worse than many had realized, often forcing him to sit instead of stand during filming.
A Joke — and a Quiet Determination
In his typical self-deprecating style, Monty compared himself to his beloved Land Rover Defender, a vehicle that has been with him for decades.
“Like my 40-year-old Land Rover, I’ve reached the point in life where I need running repairs,” he joked. “With a fair wind and superb surgical skills, I should keep ploughing on… uncomfortable, noisy, a bit slow — but still working in all weathers.”
That’s the Monty Don we know — honest, humble, and resilient. Even in the face of debilitating pain, Monty has remained steadfast in his love for gardening and his role as a public figure, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to his craft.
Still Here. Still Gardening. Still Showing Up.
The revelation about his health comes as Gardeners’ World prepares to return to screens, and Monty is not slowing down anytime soon. In addition to the show’s return, he’s also fronting a new series, Monty Don’s British Gardens, signaling that retirement is not on the horizon.
The pain may have slowed him down, but it has not stopped him. Monty’s determination to continue in front of the camera, despite his struggles, only deepens the respect that fans have for him. Even when his knees were barely able to support him, he continued to show up, providing a source of inspiration for his audience.
“Gardeners’ World” will continue to be a testament to Monty’s commitment, not just to his craft, but to the viewers who have followed him through the seasons. Through pain and recovery, Monty Don remains the steadfast, relatable figure who first captured our hearts — the gardener who never gives up. 🌿
