Monty Don rushed to A&E and apologises to fans as he cancels six gigs to remain in hospital

MONTY Don has been rushed to A&E, apologising to fans after being forced to cancel six gigs to remain in hospital.

Gardener Monty, 69, was set to appear at talks in Exeter, Truro, Bath, and Nottingham over the weekend.

But a mystery health scare sent things awry, with thousands of his supporters left without tickets for his shows.

Monty explained the situation in an Instagram video yesterday, saying, “Hello. I am so sorry to have disappointed all those people who were going to come and see me in Exeter and Truro and Bath and Nottingham.”

He revealed that his health took a sudden turn on Friday afternoon.

The TV personality continued: “I was rushed to A&E. I was kept in at the hospital over Saturday, Sunday, and Monday and had to have drips and all the rest of it.”

Monty reassured fans that his condition is improving and that he is now recovering at home.

He said: “I came home last night, and I’m feeling much better. I’m going to spend the next few days quietly recuperating here at home and hopefully by the weekend I’ll be back to full fitness.”

Fans quickly expressed their concern and well wishes in the comments.

One fan wrote, “Monty Don very much hope you’re soon fully recovered. Warmest wishes from me and Gerard.”

Another said, “Sending so much love and best wishes to you, Monty. Feel better quickly please.”

A third added, “Bless you, you’re a national treasure. Never apologize and look after yourself with your wonderful furbaby.”

A fourth concluded, “Sending you so much healing love your way. There’s only one you and you’re a bit of a national treasure, so be kind to yourself and take the time you need to heal.”

Monty’s ailments

The Gardeners’ World star has suffered with a number of ailments due to his gardening activities such as weak knees and finds that exercising keeps him fighting fit.

He first appeared on the hit show in 2011 after years on-screen as a top expert.

But over the decades he has spent on the ground tending to his plants, Monty admitted that his knees have ‘decayed’.

Monty recently admitted that despite fears his long-running career might be cut short because of it, he has been able to prevent injuries by using rowing machines and weightlifting.

The beloved personality stated that he also wanted to continue to travel the world with his 87-year-old photographer Derry Moore, who worked on his line of books.

Monty explained: “And we travel the world together. I fully intend to carry on gallivanting like that for as long as my knees will allow it.

“Having said that, there’s never in the history of humanity been a better time to be in your seventies.

“We’ve had fantastic healthcare, a really good diet, by and large a freedom from the cloud of war that no generation ever has had.

He told The Times: “My parents died in their fifties, and when I was a child anyone who was 70 was old, anyone who was 80 was very old and it was barely heard of anyone reaching 90, whereas now it’s so common as to not be worth discussing.” 

Monty has previously revealed his battle with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which means for a quarter of the year, a person experiences low mood, a lack of energy and feelings of dispair.

It can affect anyone at any time of the year but it afflicts Monty between November and mid-February.

Monty finds that using a light box and taking antidepressants has helped but he really finds it best to get as much natural light as possible to combats his blues.

He said this year: “For me, and I think for most people, experiencing weather, rain, wind, sun, cold, whatever it is, is very helpful and restorative.

“Go out and get thoroughly drenched or cold and come inside and warm up.

“Or feel the wind on your face or the sunshine on your face. Listen to the birds, notice the sound of the wind in the tree or kick your feet through leaves, that engagement is very beneficial.”

Taking regular holidays also helps as he revealed On The Travel Diaries podcast, he regularly flocks to sunnier climes: “In the past 20 years I’ve done a lot of travelling in winter so I get my hit of winter sun.

“In the winter I’ve been to South Africa four times, I’ve been to India three or four times, I’ve been to Japan, Australia, I’ve been to the southern hemisphere and I get sun, that sort of recharges the batteries.

“A few weeks of that has a profound effect. If you can afford it or organise it that really makes a difference.”

The star was previously given an OBE in 2018 for his services to charity, broadcasting and horticulture.

Monty first shot to fame in the 1990s when he was a regular face on BBC shows such as Holiday and Tomorrow’s World.

The fan favourite first made his television debut in 1989 on ITV‘s This Morning alongside Richard Madeley and Judy Finnegan.