My OBE’s great for gardeners says Monty

HE has encouraged millions to grow their own and compost their way to a glorious garden, and now Monty Don has been made an OBE.

The Gardeners’ World presenter and long-term contributor to the Daily Mail has been recognised for his services to horticulture, broadcasting and charity.

The 62-year-old, pictured, only moved into writing and broadcasting in the depths of depression resulting from the collapse of his costume jewellery business in the early 1990s.

The father of three told the Mail last night: ‘It was a surprise, it literally hadn’t crossed my mind... It is great for the whole gardening community. It’s such a key part of British life.

‘At my lowest point I would have been glad to know life has its ups as well as its downs. When things hit their lowest ebb all you can do is to put your head down and work.

‘But I’ve just tried to do my job well and look after my family.’