BBC shares statement as Monty Don 'reprimanded' over rule breach on Gardeners' World
'Monty has been reminded of these guidelines'
Monty Don has been reprimanded by the BBC after he wore a designer jacket on Gardeners’ World, while promoting the same brand in an ad campaign.
The green-fingered gardening guru was rapped on the knuckles and reminded of the Beeb’s editorial guidelines after wearing a £300 Barbour jacket on the BBC Two show.
It came as Monty discussed his love of the outdoors while modelling the brand’s clothing.
Monty Don ticked off by Gardeners’ World bosses
Announcing the tie-up with the BBC star, Barbour said: “Britain’s most legendary gardener, Monty Don, might seem like an unexpected high-fashion muse, but he is the original pioneer of ‘allotment-core’, and the perfect anchor for Barbour’s spring/summer 2026 collection.”
However, after wearing one of the items during filming of the show, Monty was “reminded” of the Corporation’s editorial guidelines. Guidelines he was told that he has breached…
BBC guidelines on conflicts of interest state: “Presenters or other individuals must not appear on-air wearing clothing or using products or services which they have agreed/been contracted to promote, advertise or endorse. Or in which they have a specific financial interest.”
‘Clear guidelines’ explained by the BBC
As a result, speaking to The Mirror, a BBC spokesperson confirmed the Gardeners’ World host had been ticked off.
They said: “We have clear guidelines around presenters’ commercial activities while working with the BBC. And Monty has been reminded of these guidelines.”
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The jacket appears in promotional content for Barbour’s Way of Life campaign. The campaign also encourages fans to ‘shop the look’ worn by the TV presenter.
Monty has also been seen wearing the jacket on the Gardeners’ World social media pages.
The star has been the lead presenter on Gardeners’ World for a total of 21 years. He first took over the role in 2003.
After stepping away for a few years to recover from a minor stroke in 2008, he returned in 2011 and has been hosting the show ever since.
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