Monty Don, 70, has reportedly been spoken to by the BBC after wearing a luxury £300 Barbour jacket on a recent episode of Gardeners’ World, falling foul of the corporation’s strict on-screen guidelines. The iconic gardening presenter, who has been with the show since 2003, was also seen wearing the jacket in a promotional Instagram clip for the brand’s spring/summer campaign, raising concerns over conflicts of interest.
According to Section 4.4 of the BBC’s guidelines, on-air talent must not appear wearing clothing or using products they have a commercial interest in or have agreed to promote outside the network. Reports indicate Monty has now been reminded of these rules, though no formal penalty has been issued.
Monty’s representative did not comment, but a BBC spokesperson said: “We have clear guidelines around presenters’ commercial activities while working with the BBC, and Monty has been reminded of these guidelines.”
The Barbour campaign, titled A Way Of Life, features several other celebrities including Frankie Bridge, AJ Odudu, Ella Eyre, and Rachel Stevens. While the brand allows fans to purchase complete looks online, Monty’s on-screen appearance in a promotional item has drawn attention for crossing BBC policy boundaries.
Despite the warning, Monty remains the face of Gardeners’ World, beloved by audiences for his expertise and easygoing charm, though this wardrobe choice has sparked debate among fans and media alike about the strict separation between presenter endorsements and BBC guidelines.
