Monty Don, the nation’s beloved gardening guru, has reportedly been warned by BBC bosses over the outfit he wore on the current 57th series of Gardeners’ World. The 70-year-old presenter sported a £300 jacket from Barbour, a brand he teamed up with for their Spring/Summer 2026 collection, during filming — and also wore it in promotional content on the show’s official Instagram.
Under BBC guidelines, presenters are prohibited from appearing on-air while promoting or endorsing products in which they have a financial interest. A BBC spokesperson confirmed: “We have clear guidelines around presenters’ commercial activities while working with the BBC, and Monty has been reminded of these rules.”
Monty’s collaboration with Barbour is part of the luxury brand’s Way of Life campaign, which also features stars like Frankie Bridge, AJ Odudu, Ella Eyre, and Rachel Stevens. The episode highlighted Monty’s deep connection with nature, exploring the Black Mountains of Wales and reflecting on the patience and care that gardening teaches.
Fans may be surprised to learn Monty has been a mainstay on BBC2’s Gardeners’ World since 2003, and last month he also appeared as a guest host on Have I Got News For You, joining Ian Hislop, Paul Merton, and guest panelists Chris McCausland and Helen Lewis.
The humorous panel segment included Monty quizzing the group on Chelsea Flower Show gossip, teasing connections between David Beckham and King Charles, and ending with a light-hearted revelation that Monty himself had become part of the conversation.
This mix of gardening expertise, luxury branding, and TV charm has put Monty at the center of headlines once again — and the BBC’s gentle reminder has only added intrigue to the story.
Source: Daily Mail
