Gardeners’ World presenter Monty Don pays tribute as co-star dies from rare illness
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Monty Don has paid an emotional tribute to the chairman of David Austin Roses(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC Studios)
Monty Don has paid an emotional tribute to the chairman of David Austin Roses. The presenter, 71, who fronts the BBC hit Gardeners’ World, took to social media on Monday to remember his friend and colleague David J.C. Austin after he passed away at the age of 67.
David contributed to the BBC series himself over the years and also headed up the rose company from his family farm in Shropshire but died following a battle with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare and terminal neurological disorder that triggers brain deterioration
Monty wrote on Instagram: “I am so sorry to hear this. My regards and condolences to all his family. But what legacy he leaves – millions of exquisite roses that will live on for so many, enriching all our lives.”
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David, pictured here with Queen Camilla at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2023, has died at the age of 69(Image: Getty Images)
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David was born in 1958 and in his early thirties, he joined the Albrighton-based family business, which was set up by his father David C. H. Austin, chairing the company for three decades until his death.
During his time in the public eye, David made numerous on-air appearances on Gardeners’ World and was also seen regularly at live events to do with the programme, such as the BBC Gardeners’ World Live at the NEC Birmingham and also featured regularly on-screen during the Chelsea Flower Show over the years.
The horticulturist is survived by his three children Richard, James and Olivia, and the family first revealed news of his passing with an emotional statement that was released earlier this week. It read: “First and foremost, Dad was a gardener. That was at the heart of who he was.
“He carried our grandfather’s vision with humility and an unwavering sense of responsibility, always putting the roses, the family business and its people before himself. He was kind and modest, with a playful spirit, a sense of adventure and a real enjoyment of life.
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The TV presenter was one of the first to pay tribute to David (Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC Studios)
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BBC star Zoe Ball also spoke out in the wake of the sad news (Image: PA)
“He faced his illness with the same courage and dignity that he brought to life. Above all, he was our Dad, and words cannot express how much we will miss him. We couldn’t be more proud of him”
Meanwhile, BBC radio host Zoe Ball, who has presented on-air coverage of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, said: “Sending love and condolences to the Austin family. Heartbreaking news.”
David Austin Roses then made it clear that they would continue under its leadership and work with the next generation of the family. Several tributes to the late chairman were left in the comments section of a Facebook post, praising his efforts in the floral industry.
One read: “Every night, I look at an admire my DA roses, inspecting for more buds and surprise blooms. And tonight, I’ll be looking at them much different, thinking of David and his family.”
Another said: “I will only have your roses in my little garden and give them to friends and family as gifts. May I suggest that next year’s rose is named the David J.C. Austin rose in his memory.”
