Lee Phelps from William Hill predicts that Frances Tophill is the frontrunner to replace Monty Don on "Gardeners' World," with odds of 13/8. Other potential replacements include Arit Anderson and Joe Swift, while there's also a chance the show might continue without a sole presenter. Monty Don confirmed his departure due to health issues from recent knee surgery and upcoming operations in late 2027, expressing excitement for new projects but sadness at ending an era.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-14,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Monty Don, the long-time host of BBC's Gardeners' World, is stepping down from presenting the show. Bookmaker William Hill has named Frances Tophill as an early frontrunner to replace him, offering odds of 13/8. Tophill, who has been a regular contributor and substitute presenter for over a decade, is seen by many fans as a fitting replacement. The bookmaker's spokesperson, Lee Phelps, stated that speculation about Don’s successor is growing. Other potential replacements include contributors like Arit Anderson (9/1), Joe Swift (12/1), Rachel de Thame (14/1), and Jamie Butterworth (20/1). One of the show's regular substitute presenters, Adam Frost, has suggested that future episodes might feature multiple hosts rather than a single replacement.
Written for “Gardeners' World New Host” on 2026-09-14,
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Monty Don's Gardeners' World replacement 'set to be fan-favourite frontrunner'
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replacement → set → ?
Frances Tophill, who has contributed to the show for more than a decade and presents the programme when Don is away, has been hailed an “early frontrunner”, with odds of 13/8.
“It’s the end of an era for Gardeners World fans with Monty Don stepping back from presenting the show and the speculation about who’ll replace him is beginning to grow,” William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps said.
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Phelps → contribute → him
He went on: “The early front-runner at 13/8 to head up the next series of Gardeners’ World is Frances Tophill.
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runner → go → World
She’s very well-established on the show and looks like being given a chance to bloom as host.”
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She → ’ → host
Frost - who has been filling in for Don since 2016 - last year touched on whether he would like to succeed Don one day.
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he → fill → Don
“I'm comfortable being the supply teacher,” he told The Sunday Times.
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he → tell → Times
“Besides, my gut says that when his lordship hangs up his trowel, it won't be any one person.
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it → say → trowel
"
Other potential presenters include contributors Arit Anderson at 9/1 and Joe Swift at 12/1, with Rachel de Thame coming in at 14/1 and Jamie Butterworth being given a 20/1 chance.
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Butterworth → include → chance
True to Frost’s prediction, the bookmaker also quotes a 5/1 price that the show will function without a lead presenter for its next series, while former Groundforce stars Charlie Dimmock (50/1) and Alan Titchmarsh (100/1) are less likely to land the job.
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stars → quote → job
Read More
“But now is the right time for a change.
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time → read → change
I look forward to continuing to work with and for the BBC on other projects, as well as following new avenues.
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I → look → avenues
And of course, I will still be gardening, dog by side, here at Longmeadow."
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I → garden → Longmeadow
Don also confirmed the move via an Instagram video with his beloved Golden Retriever, Ned.
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Don → confirm → Retriever
He has been recovering after having a “horribly painful” knee replacement last November and previously said he will likely have another operation in late 2027.
The BBC presenter admitted in April that he was struggling to film Gardener’s World at his Herefordshire home Longmeadow due to the procedure.
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he → recover → procedure
“It was severely limiting what I was doing.
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I → limit → what
I did it so I could keep on working because it was getting to the point where filming was cutting round me limping.”
uncertain
filming → do → me
Don went on: “However you do it, a knee replacement is horribly painful.
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replacement → go → it
But three months on I’m gardening again and haven’t walked with a stick for a month.
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I → garden → month
“Sarah [his wife] says I’ve been doing far too much stuff, but it’s fine and going to plan – though it can be inexplicably painful one day and then not at all another.
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it → say → stuff
At some point, I’m going to have to do the other one – but only when I can fit it in, probably late 2027.”
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I → go → it
