Gardener’s World star Monty Don normally keeps his personal life somewhat private, but previously he candidly opened up on what life was like for him growing up. The 69-year-old shared an insight into living with a “frightening figure” for a father.
The BBC star was raised by his dad, Denis, but admitted that he was left feeling fearful on a few occassions. Monty explained that his dad suffered with “deep depressive fits”.
Speaking to the Times, he explained that his dad had served in the armed forces, saying: “He was an army heavyweight boxing champion and a commando and had been through the war. He had killed people. He was not in any way aggressive but it was a latent… He was a scary man.”
The TV presenter added: “You didn’t mess with him and he had these deep depressive fits when he wouldn’t talk to anyone.”
Monty also shared a traumatic experience that involved his twin sister, Alison, who has a close brush with death after a car accident. He had been working in France when he receieved a devastating telegram message.
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The gardening expert shared: “She made what was deemed a miraculous recovery and got the use of one eye back, after endless operations, and one hand, and could walk with a stick and went on to get married and have children.”
Monty recently needed emergency treatment himself. He had to cancel four dates across the UK after his health took a turn for the worse.
Monty was rushed to the hospital and underwent “emergency treatment,” due to the mystery health scare.
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The 69-year-old was due to give talks in Exeter, Truro, Bath, and Nottingham over the weekend but informed fans the gigs were no longer taking place.
Monty explained his hospital stay in an online video, where he said: “Hello. I am so sorry to have disappointed all those people who were going to come and see me in Exeter and Truro and Bath and Nottingham.”
He revealed that on Friday afternoon his health took a nasty turn and he was forced to spend three days in hospital but has since recovered.
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