Inside Monty Don’s ‘bleak’ depression battle after Gardeners’ World star branded ‘unhealable’ but turned illness around
MONTY Don may be one of the biggest stars on TV but it doesn't mean he hasn't had his struggles.
The 67-year-old has been open in the past about his battle with depression, which first occurred when he lost his jewellery business due to the financial crisis of 1987.
Writing in his book The Jewel Garden, Monty recalled: "[In the end] I went to see a healer.
"I can’t remember if he was a herbalist, acupuncturist, homoeopath or white coated faith healer, but I liked him. He had me abstain from tea, coffee and alcohol and described my various symptoms with unerring accuracy.
“After a few months of this puritanical regime they told me I was unhealable.”
Monty - who fronts Gardeners' World - also opened up about his bouts of depression in a 2020 interview with the BBC.
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He said: "I have for many years, suffered from depression, which comes and goes but tends to be something that is worse in winter.
"And, touch wood, it’s been much better for the last few years. But for me, the benefits of nature are all about the physical connection with the rhythm of the natural world."
He continued: “Some of that rhythm is bleak – winter is cold. And yet even if inside you are bleak and grey and cold, if you believe that spring will blossom inside you, as well as outside in the garden, that’s powerful. So that’s how it works for me.”
Last week, Monty left fans in tears with a poignant tribute to his late his doggy co-star Nigel.
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The pooch died in 2020 and Monty shared a photo of him with his second dog, Nell.
The presenter captioned the post: "Another lovely picture of Nigel and Nell from 2016."
Fans were left in tears at the emotional post and took to the comments section to express their feelings.
One wrote: "Oh Nigel was a smasher wasn't he."
A second commented: "Nigel was so special, but they all are! Beautiful photo with lovely Nell. Feel emotional seeing Nigel again."
Gardeners' World airs on BBC Two and is available on BBC iPlayer.