Night night, Nigel
Monty Don’s heartbreak as his beloved Gardeners’ World pal dies at age of 11
HE enchanted millions of viewers with his antics and helped his owner cope with depression.
After becoming a surprise star of Gardeners’ World, Nigel the golden retriever has died at the age of 11.
His death was announced yesterday in an emotional online tribute by his owner Monty Don, the BBC2 show’s presenter.
The TV gardener, 64, wrote on Twitter: ‘He slipped quietly away with no pain or suffering and is now buried in the garden with lots of tennis balls. Rest now old friend. See you in the sweet bye and bye.’
Don shared a picture of Nigel in his Herefordshire garden, where his previous dogs Beaufort, Red, Poppy and Barry, and cats Stimpy and Blue, are also buried. On
Gardeners’ World, Nigel could often be seen following Don or lying at his feet. He had social media accounts in his name and received fan mail from viewers.
Don, who is also a columnist for the Daily Mail’s Weekend magazine, has previously credited the dog with helping him to get through ‘black periods’ of depression.
In 2016 he released an autobiographical book, Nigel: My Family And Other Dogs, in which he recounted stories about his pet.
He told that year’s Cheltenham Literature Festival: ‘It’s no secret that for many years I’ve suffered from depression... a dog is a huge comfort. Dogs heal, there is plenty of evidence to show that.’
Nigel had surgery last year to remove growths in his mouth. In 2012 he was missing from Don’s side onscreen after he ruptured a disc in his back as he twisted while jumping to catch a ball.
Fellow broadcasters paid tribute to Nigel online. The Rev Richard Coles wrote: ‘Lovely boy.
What a blessing. Condolences from me, Monty.’
BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker wrote: ‘Sorry Monty. He was a much loved part of the GW [Gardeners’ World] experience.’
Don told last year how gardening helps stave off depression.
‘That first snowdrop, the flowering of the rose you pruned, a lettuce you grew from seed, the robin singing just for you. These are small things but all positive, all healing,’ he wrote in his Gardeners’ World magazine column.