🌱 Monty Don’s Health Struggles: “Living Through a Nightmare” as He Prepares for More Surgery
Monty Don, the beloved Gardeners’ World presenter, has shared a deeply personal update about his health, revealing that a knee surgery last year left him barely able to walk—and he’s not out of the woods yet. After years of enduring “dodgy knees” from decades of kneeling in his garden, Monty underwent surgery in November 2025 to replace his worst knee with a titanium and cobalt chrome replacement.
Speaking candidly about his recovery, Monty admitted the surgery was “horribly painful” and the road to recovery was slow and difficult. However, three months post-surgery, he’s back in the garden, not needing a walking stick anymore, and is hopeful about filming future Gardeners’ World episodes. But the journey is far from over—Monty has also revealed he will need to undergo another knee replacement when he can “fit it in” to his schedule, likely by 2027.
🌟 The Struggles of a Career Defined by Kneeling
For the past decade, Monty’s knee issues had severely limited his ability to do his job. “You will have rarely seen me do much serious digging, and never kneeling, over the past few series,” Monty shared. By the end of a day’s filming, he could “barely hobble to the end of the garden.” After seeking medical help, he was told that his knees were deteriorating and that surgery was inevitable.
Despite the painful recovery, Monty remains determined to keep working. “I should, like my beaten-up old Defender, keep ploughing on a bit longer… uncomfortable, noisy, a bit slow and cumbersome to turn, but still working in all weathers,” he said, reflecting on his ability to continue his work with a little help from modern medicine.
💭 Looking Forward: Monty’s Commitment to Gardeners’ World and His Future
Monty’s passion for gardening and presenting Gardeners’ World hasn’t wavered, even as he faces ongoing health challenges. While Monty said he’s committed to the show, he acknowledged that there will come a time when either the BBC or he himself will decide it’s time to step away. “I genuinely don’t know what retirement would look like. I don’t play golf or tennis, and I can’t see myself doing the crossword all day… I like work,” Monty admitted, indicating that he is likely to continue his role on Gardeners’ World until at least 2028, pending his health and recovery.
In the meantime, Monty is also preparing for another new show, Monty Don’s British Gardens, as well as recovering from the health setbacks that briefly sidelined him in 2025, when he had to cancel several gigs during his An Audience with Monty Don tour due to hospitalization.
💪 A Journey of Resilience
Monty’s strength through these health challenges is inspiring, as he continues to balance his passion for gardening with his personal health. With his knee surgeries behind him and another looming, Monty remains dedicated to his work, his family, and the audience that has followed his gardening journey for decades.
Fans of Gardeners’ World are likely to see Monty return to their screens soon, as he continues to defy the odds and embrace both the joys and struggles of a life spent in the garden.
