Monty Don trades wellies for trainers and unveils ‘wild gardens’ inspired collaboration with New Balance trainers after leaving show

Gardeners’ World star Monty Don swapped wellies for trainers as he unveiled a coaching partnership with New Balance after leaving the show.

The 71-year-old presenter, who announced he was leaving the beloved BBC program after 23 years at the helm, said coaches were inspired by “wild gardens”.

Sportswear brand New Balance has teamed up with London jewelery brand Bleue Burnham to create a fresh interpretation of its iconic Made in UK 991v1 style.

And the inspiration comes straight from the flower beds of the brand’s unique staff garden: Flimby Garden in Cumbria.

The garden was designed as a restorative environment where employees could step away from the production floor and spend time immersed in nature.

Monty Don swapped wellies for trainers when he unveiled his ‘wild gardens’ inspired trainer collaboration with New Balance after leaving the show.

Sportswear brand New Balance has teamed up with London jewelery brand Bleue Burnham to create a fresh interpretation of its iconic Made in UK 991v1 style.

The trainer will be available exclusively on the brand’s mailing list on 12 September at 12:00 BST (GMT+1) at www.bleueburnham.com/.

The shoe’s precisely constructed lines are connected by loose “wild garden” stitching, inspired by the plantings at Flimby.

Each pattern is applied individually, so no two pairs are alike.

Two versions of the shoe will be available. The first is edition in brown pigskin suede.

And in December, another sneaker will be released in premium black leather.

Less than six months ago, Monty revealed his hopes of signing a new contract that will see him host Gardeners’ World until 2028.

So it may come as a shock to his fans that Monty announced on Tuesday that he would be leaving the BBC program he hosted for almost 23 years.

Speaking in the garden of his home in Longmeadow, Herefordshire, with his beloved dog Ned on his lap, Monty told his followers that “now is the right time for change.”

The 71-year-old presenter, who announced he was leaving the beloved BBC program after 23 years at the helm, said coaches were inspired by “wild gardens”.

And the inspiration comes straight from the flower beds of the brand’s unique staff garden: Flimby Garden in Cumbria.

The trainer will be available exclusively on the brand’s mailing list on 12 September at 12:00 BST (GMT+1) at www.bleueburnham.com/.

As recently as March, the veteran host said he couldn’t imagine retiring and was in talks to continue hosting the show until at least 2028 before stepping down.

Back in March, the veteran host said he couldn’t imagine retiring and was in talks to continue hosting the show until at least 2028.

He explained: “I hope to continue, but as I get closer to the end of each contract I think seriously about how it will fit with the rest of my life.”

He told Saga Magazine: “Each time I come to the conclusion honestly and clearly that I would like to continue.”

“But there will come a point where either they’ll say, ‘No thanks,’ or I’ll say, ‘It’s time for a change,’ but neither of us, as far as I know, have reached that point yet.

“I don’t really know what retirement will look like. I don’t play golf or tennis and I can’t imagine doing a crossword puzzle all day… I like to work.”