Gardeners' World presenter Monty Don seems to be one of the most relaxed men on television, but the 67-year-old has candidly admitted to struggling with his mental health in the past.
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In his book, The Jewel Garden, Monty explained that prior to becoming a keen gardener, he owned a jewellery business, selling accessories to the likes of Princess Diana and Michael Jackson. Sadly the business closed in the late 1980s, causing much upset to Monty.
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Monty shared he went through bouts of intense depression, which saw his temper flare up in ways he called "unreasonable".
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"I went to see a healer," Monty revealed. "I can't remember if he was a herbalist, acupuncturist, homoeopath or white-coated faith healer, but I liked him.
"He had me abstain from tea, coffee and alcohol and described my various symptoms with unerring accuracy," the star continued. "After a few months of this puritanical regime, they told me I was unhealable."
© Photo: RexMonty Don was told he was 'unhealable'
The healer told Monty the only way to overcome his depression and anger was to give up work and seek solace in nature – which led the star to the path he is on today, as one of the nation's most-loved gardeners.
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Monty has been open about his mental health, sharing he periodically suffers from relapses into depression, but he has gardening to thank for keeping him emotionally stable.
© Photo: RexMonty Don turned to gardening for solace
Monty has been fronting Gardeners' World since 2003, so has spent nearly two decades helping gardening novices and hobbyists alike get the most out of their garden, whatever its size or type.
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But the dream role is not without woe; the much-loved TV personality has addressed what he calls the "gardening mafia" who watch the programme to simply prove they know more and criticise anything the presenters do that they don't think is right. In fact, Monty has said he dislikes this aspect of the show so much that he refuses to pander to these audiences anymore.
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