I have just heard that Toby Buckland has been given Monty's job, I am very disappointed that Carol didn't get the position, as she has fronted the programme very well since Monty left, why could they not keep the same team? So why can't they reconsider their choice and ask Carol, it would be great to have a female presenter for a change, also she has been doing a great job.
I'm so disappointed, I loved the dual presentation by Carol and Joe. They have different gardening skills harmonising each other perfectly and present so well together. After Monty's departure, the BBC should have left the format as it was.
If we cannot have Carol as presenter of Gardeners World, then what about Alan Titchmarsh again. He was soooo good. He really inspired me to garden. I am afraid I have never heard of this other man
I agree that the decision not to appoint Carol Klein as main presenter is indeed a missed opportunity. Carol is an extremely knowledgeable gardener and an experienced and popular presenter. She inspires and enthuses viewers because she is such a good communicator, conveying not only practical information but also her obvious passion for the subject. Surely she has all the qualities required to be the main presenter, so what stopped the BBC from offering her the job? They may claim that this is not a gender issue, but I'm afraid that's what it looks like.
Why oh why! We have had some excellent men present the programme but its about time a woman was given the job. Carol Klein has been doing a superb job over the last few months and I am saddened at the news that she hasn't been given the job full time. She is inspirational with her infectious enthusiasm and wealth of knowledge. It has also been a refreshing change to see more of Alys who is the main stay of the garden when everyone else has disappeared. I am going to be a reluctant viewer from now on.
It is wrong to say that the discussion that is occuring has a sexist agenda. I have been watching GW since Percy Thrower, I have enjoyed all of the presenters, I am also a regular visitor to the major garden shows and have had the pleasure of seeing Carole's numerous gold medel exhibits at Chelsea, she is a plantsman, she really knows her stuff, plus she has huge enthusiasm, I am not interested in a "women" presenter, I am in the leading gardening programme being headed up by a class act, as she is. I still believe it is a huge missed opportunity.
It's a question of who you can relate to. I always found Mr Don preachy and skipped his bits. In my experience the men I know cut the grass if they have to and might be interested in a garden tool if it has a power lead, but it's the women who quietly get on with borders, containers, grow a few veggies with the kids and are the ones who decide how to divide up the garden areas. This year walking around garden centres, visiting gardens and some of the big shows like Hampton Court I have seen far more women there than men. Lots of women friends in groups or husband/wife couples but certainly not big groups of men. I am one of the many women who would like to see Carol in charge and more of Alys as I can relate to them. Yes, that is based on gender but doesn't make it sexist. What would be sexist would be sticking in another middle-aged, male, white BBC clone when there was already someone good enough to do the job in the team. Sorry Toby, I rather liked your show garden, but you now have to be spectacularly good to convince me you were worth giving up the chance to have Carol as lead presenter.
So disappointed that Carol wasn't given the main presenter of Gardeners World job. It wasn't broken then don't fix it, the programme has been fabulous with Carol, Joe and Alys it has been the perfect mix, bringing it to all age groups the knowledge, enthusiasm and benefits of gardening. Carol's approach and knowledge has been contagious the three of the presenters have really gelled together perfectly. BBC GET WITH THE PROGRAMME we are in the 21st century, women fly planes now, are top surgeons etc: although i am not old enough to witness the war years myself didn't women keep the food chain going (land girls) when the men were fighting in the war? I think the BBC didn't have the courage to buck the trend and employ Carol to front the programme they might have been afraid to upset the men gardeners and their domain, BBC remember all so called men gardeners they have wives and I am sure they are getting an earful about this. I just hope Carol, Joe and Alys keep doing what they have been doing it,s a great mix. Annie x PS. I hope Monty is feeling much better and we miss him x
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Carol's approach and knowledge has been contagious the three of the presenters have really gelled together perfectly. BBC GET WITH THE PROGRAMME we are in the 21st century, women fly planes now, are top surgeons etc: although i am not old enough to witness the war years myself didn't women keep the food chain going (land girls) when the men were fighting in the war? I think the BBC didn't have the courage to buck the trend and employ Carol to front the programme they might have been afraid to upset the men gardeners and their domain, BBC remember all so called men gardeners they have wives and I am sure they are getting an earful about this. I just hope Carol, Joe and Alys keep doing what they have been doing it,s a great mix.
Annie x PS. I hope Monty is feeling much better and we miss him x