Inside Monty Don and Alan Titchmarsh’s secret ‘feud’ as gardening stars rivalry revealed
ON THE surface they’ve always seemed like the best of friends who shared a love of the great outdoors.
But it’s now come to light that celebrity gardeners Monty Don and Alan Titchmarsh have actually been embroiled in a “secret feud” for years.
The pair seemed to have a firm friendship when Alan handed over the reigns of his much-loved Gardeners’ World to Monty in the early noughties.
But over the years, there has been several incidents that have now soured their relationship.
Cast your mind back to the 90s, and Alan was the king of gardening and was at the helm of some of the biggest BBC shows.
Along with Gardeners’ World, he also fronted the much-loved Ground Force.
Both shows were hugely popular, and saw Alan being crowned the King of Gardening.
But in 2003, he decided to hand over the reigns of Gardeners’ World to a little-known Monty Don.
The eccentric former jewellery boss then made the show his own, and subsequently eclipsed his predecessor.
It was previously revealed that it was Alan himself who had recommended Monty for the job.
Something he may have come to regret, after the show grew in popularity with the new boy in charge.
Speaking on the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine YouTube channel, about why he wanted Monty to fill his shoes. Alan said: “I was asked when I left who I would recommend.”
Seemingly stunned by this revelation, Monty replied: “Did you? That’s the first time!”
Alan then interrupted and said: “And I said ‘You need an anchorman and I think your best bet is Monty Don’.”
Since Monty took over the famous BBC show, ratings have hit an all time high.
His popularity has also continued to grow on social media.
Was I dumped for Monty Don? You might say that.
Sadly, this has come at a price for Alan, who was even given the boot from hosting the famous Chelsea Flower Show in favour of… you guessed – Monty.
At the time, he didn’t know it was Mr Don who bagged his job, again.
After finding out about his replacement, Alan told the Radio Times in 2014: ‘Yes, I suppose I was hurt, because I know people enjoy it as much as I loved doing it.
“Was I dumped for Monty Don? You might say that ‒ I couldn’t possibly comment.
“They made me an offer I had to refuse ‒ it’s up to them, I’m not bitter.”
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.