Gardeners' World star Rachel de Thame has paid tribute to her co-star Nigel Dunnett, who has sadly died at the age of 63. Horticulturalist Nigel appeared on shows including The Great Garden Revolution and Inside the Tower of London, as well as contributing to the wildflower meadows at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the Tower of London Superbloom project and landscaping at the Barbican Estate. He also popped up on Gardeners' World back in 2023, and took BBC producers around his own garden at home.

Rachel, who worked with Nigel at the Olympic Park and at Chelsea Flower Show, posted a snap of the two together on Instagram, writing: "I’m so thankful for all the times I spent in a garden with Nigel Dunnett, who died yesterday. We talked about sustainable planting back in 2012 at the Olympic Park… and were doing so again in his memorable Chelsea garden for Hospitalfield Arts last year. Thank you Nigel for always inspiring us and sharing your passion and knowledge so generously. We will miss you. Sending my heartfelt condolences to Nigel’s family, many friends and colleagues…"

Gardeners' World star Arit Anderson also posted a tribute to Instagram, writing: "It is with a very heavy sad heart that I have to share with you that this morning Nigel Dunnett passed away.

"His wife Marta has given me permission to put this on social media, as sadly she is unable to at this time.

"I’m too upset to say more. But for those that knew him well, you know we have just lost one of our dear talented friends and our beautiful world of plants and design will miss him sorely.

"Please do let people know as his reach is global. Rest well dear friend."

He was also remembered by the Society of Garden Designers, who released a statement reading: “We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Nigel Dunnett, a designer, plantsman, and academic whose influence on contemporary planting design has been profound.

"Nigel’s work combined ecological sensitivity with a bold, painterly approach to planting, helping to reshape how we think about public landscapes and urban green spaces.

"Through projects, teaching, and writing, he inspired a generation of designers to embrace naturalistic planting and to see beauty and biodiversity as intrinsically linked.

"His contribution to landscape and garden design will endure in the spaces he created, the ideas he championed, and the many people he taught and inspired.”