Monty Don sparks debate after criticising judges at Chelsea Flower Show

Ayush May 23, 2024

TV star Monty Don has sparked debated amongst BBC viewers earlier this week after questioning the judges live on air for Chelsea Flower Show.

The 68-year-old gardener ruffled feathers when he shared his opinions on the show’s highlights on BBC Two, along with fellow presenter Joe Swift.

After sharing his prediction that the National Garden Scheme Garden would be the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 winner, Monty was left visibly shocked when the result showed otherwise – alongside Joe’s winning prediction, the WaterAid Garden, which also fell flat live on air.

Instead, first-time entrant Ula Maria scooped the Best Show Garden award with her Japanese-inspired forest garden created for Muscular Dystrophy UK.

Monty said to Joe: “Right, well, you got it very wrong. It was certainly not WaterAid by Tom Massey and Je Ahn”, reports the Express. Joe frustratingly added: “No, and it wasn’t The National Garden Scheme Garden by Tom Stuart-Smith either! “

Jeff Spicer

Monty then followed up on his initial comments, by adding: “Well, this is a difficult one because obviously we got it wrong, and that is fine. I think Ula’s garden was fabulous and deserved a gold medal. The fact she is a young, brilliant designer is fantastic.

“But, a lot of people I have spoken to are saying that they just don’t understand where the judges are going.”

Monty then added: “We’ve done all of this and the one thing that the judges seem to be missing in their effort to be transparent and objective, they have lost that sense of delight that makes a garden.

“What we have is a procedure that is like passing a driving test. I mean, I think it is an interesting debate.”

However, wrapping up the segment, the presenters concluded by extending their congratulations to Ula for her “fantastic” garden.

However, many BBC viewers weren’t impressed by Monty’s initial on-air reaction, with one person saying they “found it very distasteful and unprofessional”.

Another remarked: “Quite disrespectful to the winning garden there Monty. Mighty disappointing you thought it was appropriate to do that just because gardens you liked didn’t win.”