Gardeners’ World icon Monty Don has made an end of life admission after turning 70. The grandfather-of-three confessed that ageing has shown him what is most important in life after confirming the touching gift he will leave behind for his family when he is long gone. BBC star Monty told The i in a new interview: “When you get to my age, you realise the only things that matter are love and friends and family and looking after each other. Everything else is a distraction.”

But asked whether he intends to slow down, Monty would only say: “I never really plan more than about a year ahead. The one thing I know is that I have absolutely no concept of retirement. If my body and brain hold out – and as long as people want me to – I’ll go on for as long as I can.”

It comes after Monty planned to do something nice for his grandchildren for after he passes away.

He planted a wood full of oak trees for them, knowing that they take hundreds of years to grow.

Monty said: “A few years ago, I planted a wood for my grandchildren, and I, you know, will be long dead before that is anything like you know... great!

“They will be my age before the trees are mature, and I hope they plant for their grandchildren, and I like that rhythm.

Monty has also been candid about his recent health battles, after undergoing a double knee replacement when he was left unable to take his dogs for a walk or go upstairs.

The star also suffered a stroke at the age of 52 – a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) during his sleep. And in 2024, he cancelled several tour dates for an undisclosed health emergency.