Monty Don is turned off by ‘mafia’ audiences watching Gardeners’ World

Monty Don has hit out at the ‘gardening mafia’ who watch his show only to prove themselves right.

The Gardeners’ World presenter, 67, claimed there is a ‘small but vociferous’ part of the audience who watch to ‘tick the boxes of their own horticultural knowledge’.

Although the Daily Mail columnist said that the BBC series used to ‘placate’ those viewers, he suggested that that approach is going to change as they try to attract a younger audience. 

Don, pictured, has been the lead presenter of the programme since 2003.

Monty Don, Gardeners’ World presenter, 67, claimed there is a ‘small but vociferous’ part of the audience who watch to ‘tick the boxes of their own horticultural knowledge’. Pictured at the Chelsea Flower Show in May

Writing in Gardeners’ World magazine, he said: ‘There is a small but vociferous part of the audience who see Gardeners’ World as a chance to both tick the boxes of their own horticultural knowledge and to loudly disapprove if anything is shown or done in a way that differs from their own.

‘We used to be self-conscious about placating this “gardening mafia” but not any more. 

‘They are welcome, but Gardeners’ World is not aimed exclusively at or for them.’ 

Don added that he wanted the programme to attract a younger generation who ‘may never get their own home’ but still love ‘growing things… every bit as much as the owner of a proudly maintained garden’.

He added: ‘If Gardeners’ World can help shape, inspire and inform your future –rather than shoring up your past – then we are hitting the right mark.’