Alys Fowler x 2

Ooh, I hope so, Piskie! I have been suffering from a lack of inspiration for a good wee while now!!

Fingers crossed eh! Both of Alys' shows are grow your own veg based, if the meeja is to be believed

J'know Piskie - if I could ever persuade my big sis who is in the meeja to get her arse into gear we coud do a fantaboulous production on GYO!!!

Production of the Vine!! Could you just imagine it But they do say truth is stranger than fiction

Piskie that's cheered me up no end..like all three, although in Monty's case I didn't at first, but his enthusiasm and obviously sincere love of gardening in all forms converted me.

As for a production on the vine I'd vote for that

I love Monty have not been able to watch Gardeners World since he left, i just love his gentle enthusiasm. He is a lovely fella and proof perfect of the healing properties of gardening as it is how he manages his bi polar depression.

Gardeners World

Must admit, not much impressed with it since Monty left, i think Carol K should had been offered the job, shes great! Be interesting to see what next series brings.

I must have missed this, what is Monty doing in the New Year? I think he is great

Sadly, Stella, I don't think Monty has any plans to return to the gardening shows next year - he may put in the odd guest appearance though.

Ohhhhhh that is a shame

Monty Don To Make Comeback With Channel 4

Monty Don is to front a new Channel 4 series about people trying to set up their own rural smallholding. Called My Dream Farm, the 6 x 60 minute series is being produced by Betty. It is the first series Don has been involved with since he took a break from TV after suffering a minor stroke. The show is about people who give up high-powered jobs to live the rural dream. Betty, which also made Country House Rescue, calls it "an exciting project that encapsulates the nation’s interest in issues such as self sufficiency, the origins of our food and the achievability of a lifestyle choice that nurtures the soul as well as the bank balance." Filming is taking place now and runs until Autumn 2009 - with transmission set for spring 2010


Alys has just finished filming the new series of Gardener's World, now based in Birmingham. She is currently working on her new book called Alys' Edible Garden (published January 2010 by BBC Books) which is a tie in to her new TV series which TXs in the New Year on BBC2.



Alan Titchmarsh is returning to the BBC for four hour-long programmes, to be broadcast in March 2010.

The programmes will feature Alan Titchmarsh's favourite UK gardens and will be broadcast on BBC2. But the presenter will not be returning to Gardeners' World on TV, as has been rumoured.

Alan Titchmarsh told HW: "I'm doing some gardening programmes for the BBC early next year that will be transmitted in a year's time. But I'm not going to be doing Gardeners' World. There's no truth in the rumours."


THIS LAST ONE FROM THE SUN.

THE BBC is facing another backlash - this time from green-fingered viewers.
It is scrapping the traditional Gardeners' World Christmas special to help pay for a "sexier" plants show.


The new six-part series will be presented early next year by flame-haired Alys Fowler, 30, a Gardeners' World assistant host.


The move comes after the BBC was accused of ageism when Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips, 66, was axed to make way for Alesha Dixon, 30.


The Gardeners' World Christmas special has aired since 1968.


Gardening on the Beeb has traditionally been the domain of middle-aged hosts like Monty Don and Alan Titchmarsh.


BBC2 show Gardeners' World is currently presented by Toby Buckland, 39,


A source said of the decision to axe the Christmas special: "A lot of fans will be very upset. It has been an annual treat for gardeners. It has to make way so that Alys gets her own show."

A BBC spokesman said: "The Gardeners' World Christmas Special is not a traditional fixture and has aired only occasionally since its first appearance in 2001.

"In recent years it was part of a series of one hour specials while the main series was off air. A number of these specials are still being made, but not specifically for Christmas.

"The BBC remains committed to its gardening programming and in addition to these specials, there are a number of new spin-offs planned, including an upcoming series to be presented by Alys Fowler. The over all number of hours of gardening programming on the BBC remains unchanged.

"Gardeners' World and its spin-offs have a range of presenters of various ages and backgrounds."

OMG - what has the world come to in the hands of the accountants??

I haven't managed to find out when it starts yet but here is a bit more info about Alys' new TV series...

"Gardeners' World" The Edible Garden at BBC Shop