Monty Don is a TV favourite – but the world nearly lost the Gardeners’ World star following several health issues over the years.
Since his first appearance on TV screens back in 1989, Monty has become one of Britain’s favourite horticulturists. Not only has he been presenting Gardeners’ World since 2003, but he’s also had a ton of other TV shows.
However, Monty Don – who is on Gardeners’ World today (September 7) – has had his fair share of health issues over the years.
But when did he ‘nearly die’? And who was the person that urged him to seek help for his depression? Keep reading to find out…
Gardeners’ World star Monty Don on cancer battle
When he was 10 years old, Monty was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer. Following his childhood diagnosis, Monty has a scar from his elbow to his shoulder after they took the bone marrow from his upper arm.
Speaking to The Times about it, he revealed that he knew it was serious because his mother visited him in hospital every day.
“I was in Battle Hospital in Reading. And I knew it was serious because while my father only came once, my mother came every day. And then I had radiotherapy for a year,” he said.
“I really liked that because I had a day off from school. And my mother would take me and we would have lunch at Heelas, the department store, and I would have steak and kidney pie,” he then continued.
Monty Don ‘thought he was dying’
The TV star suffered a “mini-stroke” back in 2008. Recalling the day he had the stroke, Monty told the Guardian in 2009: “I was so exhausted I did not know whether I was coming or going. I remember waking up feeling strange and dizzy.”
Monty added: “I said to my wife Sarah: ‘God, something funny is happening; I may be having a stroke.’ We weren’t thinking, this is a disaster.
I turned to Sarah and said ‘Hold me because I think I’m dying.
“I said: ‘Hang on, I can move my fingers.’ I remember thinking, oh, get a grip, you’re fine.”
Although worried, Monty went ahead with his day – but when the feeling persisted, he really started to panic.
He explained: “I turned to Sarah and said: ‘Hold me because I think I’m dying and, if I am, I want to die in your arms.'”
What’s more, Monty didn’t visit his GP until a month later – in which an MRI scan showed he had an artery blockage in his brain. The doctor also confirmed he had suffered a mini-stroke.
‘You have to take care of yourself’
Monty’s stroke led to him taking a break from Gardeners’ World. During an interview with The Telegraph earlier this year, Monty spoke about the stroke he suffered.
“My brother told me that every 50-year-old bloke should have a minor stroke or a heart scare, because it gives you great intimations of mortality, and it reminds you that you are not 35 any longer and you have to take care of yourself,” he told the publication.
“You can’t be a slob. You can’t play hard and work hard because one of them will give. But as you get older, you also stop thinking about your mortality. It’s beyond your control. You live for the day,” he then added.
Monty Don’s battle with depression
Monty has spoken openly over the years about suffering from depression for “many years” and called his recovery an ongoing process. In a 2020 interview with the BBC, Monty said his depression “comes and goes” and it would tend to be “worse in winter”.
“I wouldn’t say I have been healed. I would say I am being healed. It’s an ongoing process,” he said.
Monty went on: “And, touch wood, it’s been much better for the last few years. But for me, the benefits of nature are all about the physical connection with the rhythm of the natural world.
“Some of that rhythm is bleak – winter is cold. And yet even if inside you are bleak and grey and cold, if you believe that spring will blossom inside you, as well as outside in the garden, that’s powerful. So that’s how it works for me.”
Monty’s temper became ‘unreasonable’
Monty also opened up about his struggle with depression in his book, The Jewel Garden. He spoke about the impact of losing his and his wife Sarah’s business due to the financial crisis of 1987.
The presenter wrote that his temper became “unreasonable”. He added: “[In the end] I went to see a healer. I can’t remember if he was a herbalist, acupuncturist, homoeopath or white coated faith healer, but I liked him.
“He had me abstain from tea, coffee and alcohol and described my various symptoms with unerring accuracy.”
Monty said: “After a few months of this puritanical regime they told me I was unhealable.”
Monty reveals wife urged him to seek help
Monty also previously revealed his wife was the one who urged him to seek help over the years.
When they were at the peak of money troubles in the ‘80s, Monty said he would spend more time working in the garden.
He recalled how his wife once told him: “You have a streak of craziness that is endlessly tiring.” He confessed that Sarah was the one who urged him to seek help as their children would ask: ‘Why is Daddy always crying?’
In another interview with The Times, Monty added: “She [Sarah] said you have to see a doctor because I can’t cope with you and three small children and our life as it is. I need help and the only way I can get help is for you to get help.”
Watch Monty on Gardeners’ World Friday nights at 8pm on BBC One. It repeats on Saturdays at 9am on BBC Two.
Read more: Monty Don’s concerns for King Charles over cancer diagnosis: ‘I hope to God he isn’t very ill’
So what do you think of this story? You can leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.