Presenter reveals corporation has been paying part of their salaries to keep his Herefordshire garden camera-ready

For 15 years, viewers have looked in amazement at Monty Don’s beautiful Herefordshire garden, known as Longmeadow, as he hosted the show Gardeners’ World from his own back yard.

But now the BBC presenter, who announced earlier this month that he was leaving the show, has said he may have to sack the gardeners who have kept the space beautiful and broadcast-ready.