Monty Don's final Gardeners World episode revealed as he gives 'emotional farewell'

Read More"This Friday will be my very last Gardeners World,” he said alongside his dog Ned in a clip shared on the Gardeners’ World official Instagram account.“It began 23 years ago - 16 years we’ve been filming in this garden with my various dogs and that’s come to an end."But it’s a brilliant programme as ever and it’s been a complete privilege to be part of it. So join me on Friday for the last time."Monty Don’s final Gardeners’ World episode airs on FridayGettyThe caption read: "It’s the end of an era as Monty presents his final programme of this series from Longmeadow this Friday. Tune in at 8pm on BBC Two for an emotional farewell to a much-loved chapter of Gardeners’ World."“I'm comfortable being the supply teacher,” he said in a Sunday Times interview last year.“Besides, my gut says that when his lordship hangs up his trowel, it won't be any one person. There will be a small group of co-presenters."He wrote in Gardeners' World magazine: "The commute is delightfully short, but when I go home I take the job with me seven days a week, 24 hours a day.Don bid farewell with his dog Ned Instagram"Then, one day this summer, I woke up and knew it was time to stop. Simple as that. They say of sportspeople wondering when to retire, 'You just know.' Well, I just knew."He noted that stepping down will allow for other projects.He stated: "I am not retiring - heaven forfend - there are programmes I want to make, books I want to write, family I want to spend more time with."My enthusiasm for visiting gardens of all kinds all over the world remains as keen as ever. But the time for these things is growing limited."Announcing his exit, he said: "I have decided that the current series of Gardeners’ World is to be my last. I began hosting the programme 23 years ago, first at Berryfields and for the past 16 years here in my own garden, Longmeadow."Throughout that time - and around seven hundred programmes - I have had the privilege of sharing my own abiding passion for gardens and gardening with an equally passionate, and often equally knowledgeable audience."That connection with millions, not just in Britain but across the world, who share a love of gardens, plants and the natural world is something I have always treasured and which I increasingly believe to be at the heart of a life well lived.”Adam Frost is one of the top contenders to replace DonBBCHe went on: "I have also always relished the craft of programme making and to do so, week in week out, as part of a superlative BBC team has been a deeply rewarding experience. But now is the right time for a change."I look forward to continuing to work with and for the BBC on other projects, as well as following new avenues. There are more books to write, more programmes to make. And of course, I will still be gardening, dog by side, here at Longmeadow."Sharon Fisher, BBC Studios Series Editor, Gardeners’ World, stated that his departure marks "the end of a remarkable chapter in the programme’s history".Kate Phillips, BBC’s Chief Content Officer, expressed gratitude to Don for his contributions to Gardeners' World, looking forward to future BBC collaborations with him soon.