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Monty Don is returning to Gardeners' World after a break of almost three years. The green-fingered gardening great, who took the reins in 2003 but stepped down in May 2008, will be back when the new series starts next year.

He will present the programme from his own garden, which he has spent 20 years developing and which spans around two acres of Herefordshire countryside. It will be the first time in more than a decade that it has been featured on screen and viewers will be able to watch it evolve at the same time as their own gardens.

Monty says: "Returning to Gardeners' World is a fantastic opportunity. I've really missed the programme so I can't wait to get stuck in and get my hands dirty again."

Alison Kirkham, Commissioning Editor, Factual Features and Formats, says: "I'm delighted to welcome Monty back and I really look forward to seeing him sharing his expertise in his own environment. I'm thrilled viewers will learn the secrets of the garden he's spent the last two decades creating from scratch."

Since stepping back from Gardeners' World for health reasons, Monty has continued to work with the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ on shows such as Mastercrafts, Who Do You Think You Are and Monty Don's Italian Gardens, which is due to transmit early next year.

The new series will be on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Two next spring and will feature all the usual topical tips, jobs for the week and advice on the best places to visit at different times of year.

Monty will be joined by series regulars Carol Klein and Joe Swift, plus former Gardeners' World presenter Rachel De Thame.

FD