Beloved gardening presenter Monty Don has quietly reversed a recent change to his opening routine on BBC's Gardeners' World after eagle-eyed viewers expressed their disappointment at the missing traditional welcome.
Missing Greeting Sparks Viewer Reaction
For countless British households, the familiar Friday night ritual of settling down with Monty Don and Gardeners' World represents a peaceful transition into the weekend. So when the host unexpectedly stopped delivering his customary "Hello and welcome to Gardeners' World" introduction, the show's dedicated audience quickly took notice.
The alteration might have seemed minor to some, but for regular viewers who already face regular disruptions when sporting events displace their favourite programme, it represented another unwelcome change to their comforting routine.
Social media platforms soon buzzed with comments from concerned fans. Grahame Blankley was among the first to observe the difference, posting on a Facebook fan page: "I noticed Monty didn't say hello (and) welcome to Gardeners' World."
Stephen Rose echoed this sentiment, revealing that both he and his wife were taken aback by the omission during the previous week's episode. Meanwhile, Kate Roche admitted that she had found herself saying the words aloud in Don's absence.
The Welcome Return
While it remains unclear whether viewer feedback directly reached Don at his famous Longmeadow garden in rural Herefordshire, the presenter has since reverted to his traditional greeting in recent episodes.
The return of the familiar welcome comes as the popular gardening programme approaches its winter break, providing reassurance to fans who value the consistency of the show's format.
Future of Gardeners' World
Questions about how much longer Monty Don will continue as the programme's main presenter have also been addressed by the gardening expert himself. Don is currently midway through another two-year contract that covers both this year and 2026.
In a recent statement, Don admitted: "Every time I think: 'Am I really going to do this?' But the truth is I enjoy it. I'm lucky because it's in my own garden. If the programme is made well, I'll continue."
This reassurance, combined with the return of his signature greeting, provides comfort to the millions who consider Gardeners' World an essential part of their weekly television viewing.
