Beloved gardening presenter Monty Don has candidly shared the details of a painful health struggle that has affected him for over a decade, with subtle signs appearing in recent episodes of the BBC's Gardeners' World. The 70-year-old horticultural authority has disclosed that this persistent condition significantly restricted his physical capabilities during production of the cherished television series, which is scheduled for its return this month.
A Decade of Discomfort
In a heartfelt piece written for Gardeners' World magazine, Monty explained that he has been suffering from what he describes as "dodgy knees," a direct consequence of decades spent kneeling in garden beds and carrying heavy loads. "For the last 10 years or more my knees have been giving me gyp and, it turns out, slowly deteriorating," he penned. "This is not so unusual or unexpected. I have spent 70 years kneeling on them asking them to stagger about under unreasonably heavy loads... They have had a long, hard time of it."
Impact on Filming and Medical Advice
The gardening expert revealed that when he initially consulted a doctor about his knee troubles, he was prescribed painkillers and given the straightforward advice to "stop digging" in his garden. This medical guidance had a direct impact on the content viewers saw on screen. "You will have rarely seen me do much serious digging, and never kneeling, over the past few series," Monty continued. "By the end of a day's filming, I could barely hobble to the end of the garden."
This limitation often forced him to adopt a more sedentary position during filming, sitting more frequently than in previous years. The condition progressively worsened, ultimately affecting his ability to perform the very gardening tasks he demonstrates for millions of viewers.
The Path to Surgery and Recovery
Following scans conducted last year, a surgeon delivered the news that Monty's knees required replacement. He underwent the significant procedure in November 2025, receiving a titanium and cobalt chrome implant for his most severely affected knee. The recovery process, as he describes it, was "pretty painful and slow," requiring considerable patience and rehabilitation.
Renewed Capabilities and Philosophical Outlook
Now on the other side of surgery, Monty Don reports being "able to do things again," marking a positive turn after years where his "dodgy knees limited what he could do" on the popular BBC programme. He concluded his reflections with a characteristically resilient and humorous analogy, comparing himself to his vintage Land Rover.
"So, like my 40-year-old Land Rover, I have reached that point in life where I am having to do some running repairs and having the occasional refit in order to keep doing what I do!" he wrote. "And, with a fair wind and superb surgical skills, 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."
Recalling Past Garden Misadventures
This revelation about his health follows another amusing anecdote Monty recently shared regarding an unexpected incident in his garden at Longmeadow in Ivington, Herefordshire, where the series is filmed. He recounted a time when a herd of cattle wandered into his garden, leading to a chaotic and humorous scenario.
"I got in the bath, looked out of the window and there was this big white face looking at me," he told The Sun. "So I got a towel and rushed outside to chase them. I put on some wellies and then the towel fell and I was running around Long Meadow stark b*****k naked."
Looking Forward to New Projects
Despite these health challenges, Monty's career continues to flourish. Last January, he announced his return to work following a hospital stay that caused the cancellation of several tour dates for his An Audience With Monty Don show. He has since secured a brand new BBC series titled Monty Don's British Gardens, demonstrating his enduring appeal and commitment to sharing his passion for horticulture with the public.
