Gardeners' World presenter Monty Don recently opened up about a surprising discovery concerning his and his wife Sarah’s diminished sense of smell. Five years ago, Monty realized that while his friends could detect certain scents, he could not, a revelation that led him to admit he’s “probably one of the worst people” to recommend fragrances. He also noted that Sarah experiences the same phenomenon.
“Perfume is almost lost on me,” Monty explained. “Occasionally my wife asks me, ‘Which perfume do you prefer?’ and both smell exactly the same, or the difference is so minimal it doesn’t matter. That’s a clear loss, but there’s nothing I can do.”
More recently, Monty revealed that Sarah’s sense of smell has been “dramatically affected” since contracting Covid-19. On the Gardeners' World Magazine podcast, he said, “She says she can’t smell most things she used to. Even with my limited sense of smell, the scent of sweet peas remains deeply evocative.”
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In 2023, Monty shared with fans that he himself had fallen ill with Covid-19, posting a photo of his positive test and admitting, “That would explain why I have felt terrible for the past couple of days.” He described his Longmeadow garden walks as “the best medicine” during his recovery. This was his second bout with the virus, with the first episode leaving him bedridden for four days. Referring to his experience, Monty said, “Having Covid isn’t much fun. Boy, doesn’t it knock you sideways — utterly exhausting.”
Despite these health challenges, Monty managed to recover and continue filming for Gardeners' World.
Monty has previously spoken candidly about his health struggles beyond Covid. On Kate Thornton’s White Wine Question Time podcast, he revealed how his wife Sarah helped him through his battle with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). He described the condition as “a lot to do with the greyness, the lack of light and the world pressing in on you,” accompanied by a loss of energy.
He shared a poignant moment when Sarah confronted him, saying, “I just can’t take your moods and black depression any longer. You need to do something because if you don’t, I can’t live with you—I’ll take the children and go.”
After seeking professional help, Monty developed coping strategies, including dedicating one day a week to be alone in the garden, usually on a weekend. This routine has helped him manage his condition and maintain his wellbeing.
Gardeners' World continues tonight at 8pm on BBC Two.