A Gardners' World presenter has taken aim at a lack of diversity on the show after being snubbed for the top job on the iconic series.
Carol Klein made her TV debut on Gardners' World in 1988 and has previously commented about not getting the role of show anchor despite being a regular back-up for long-time favourite Monty Don. Current anchor Monty has presented the programme since 2011 – his second spell after five years in charge from 2003.
His replacement in between was Toby Buckland, with Carol not given the chance to apply despite having been the automatic stand-in. At the time in 2008, Ms Klein called the decision an "upsetting smack in the chops", reports Mail Online.
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Every lead presenter on the flagship BBC2 gardening show has been male since 1968. Given it has been on air for 55 years with men running the show, viewers might wonder when Gardeners' World will ever allow women to bloom in the top job.
It's unlikely to be any time soon, says Carol, who reckons female horticulturalists face a 'grass ceiling'. Now Ms Klein, 78, has reignited the row over sexism at the BBC as she spoke to Horticulture Week magazine at the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival hosted by the Royal Horticultural Society.
Asked whether she thinks there will ever be a female lead presenter on Gardeners' World, she said: "I hope so – I can't see why there hasn't been one already." She added that proper recognition for female horticulturalists has been a long time coming and said: "There is a bit of grass ceiling when it comes to women."
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The broadcaster has been named the RHS's 'Iconic Horticultural Hero' for 2023. Ms Klein said she was 'flattered' to receive the award but it made her 'giggle'.
She said: "I'm not sure about the 'iconic' part but I won't disagree with the 'horticultural' bit." Ms Klein, who is calling for every child to study horticulture in school, added: "I've always loved nature, plants and gardening and am lucky that I have been able to forge a career out of my passion."
Viewers flooded the BBC website with criticism when Ms Klein was overlooked for the top Gardeners' World job in 2008. And in 2021 fans again called for a female lead following Arit Anderson and Frances Tophill's hosting stint while Don took a week off.
