MONTY Don fans rushed to support the gardening guru as he took a heartfelt trip down memory lane yesterday.
The beloved BBC personality shared a touching image of himself with his cherished dogs Nell and Ned on Instagram.
Monty, 68, who is widely celebrated for his green-thumb expertise on Gardener’s World, is also loved for his affectionate relationship with his canine companions.
In the snap Nell was standing on her hind legs with her paws on his arm as the gardener offered some soothing words to his furry friend.
He wrote: “More memories- reassuring Nellie just a few days after Ned arrived.”
Ned was a tiny puppy in the photo, and could be seen napping in between Monty’s legs.
This poignant post comes after the tragic loss of his beloved dog Nell, who sadly passed away from cancer in October last year.
Fans flocked to the comments to console Monty, with one person sharing: “Argh lovely Nellie, I keep forgetting that she’s passed. You had such a special bond.”
Another added: “A lovely girl wanting Dad’s reassurance, you were there for her.”
A third gushed: “She adored you and it so clear to see you adored her. It’s a bond that can never be broken, even when we lose them.”
At the time of Nell’s death, Monty opened up to his fans in an emotional post.
He shared a string of snaps of the pair together as he said: “I was going to tell you about my new book which is published next week but that can wait because my lovely dear Nell died last night.
“She was diagnosed with cancer in June and every day this summer has been a gift but it is over now.
“We buried her in the garden next to Nigel wrapped in one of my jackets with flowers, balls and her favourite biscuits.”
He added: “Her end was peaceful and dignified and ended obvious suffering but it never gets any easier to bear. So life goes on, but for the moment we are very, very sad.”
SINCE bursting onto our TV screens in Gardeners' World in the early noughties, Monty Don has been a much-loved star.
Before finding fame on TV, and together with his wife Sarah, Monty set up a lucrative jewellery business in the early 80s.
Monty then joined the popular BBC show as presenter in 2003, taking over from the out going Alan Titchmarsh, and has been there ever since.
Every since he burst onto the scene, he has become a familiar face on the box.
Away from Gardeners’ World he is also known for Monty Don’s Italian Gardens, as well as the French, American and Japanese versions of the show.
Monty also hosted The Secret History of the British Garden
